Welcoming President Zourabichvili to the hemicycle, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “When you last visited this House, we discussed your country’s progress towards joining our European family. Today, this journey is under threat. I know that there are many in Georgia today who fear for their country’s future. I speak for this entire House when I say to all Georgians who look to Europe for support and for their future: you are not alone. We see you, we hear you, we are with you. This House stands strong with Georgia in its journey towards Europe.”

In her address to MEPs, President Zourabichvili discussed the protest movement sweeping Georgia since the disputed parliamentary elections in October: “In some ways, we feel like we are back in 1921”, she said, “as scenes are repeating themselves” (…) “That is what explains the courage and determination with which the Georgian people are reacting today. They see what is happening as a deposition of…