Georgian Lawmakers Honor Dead In Ukraine At President's Annual Address

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said that the involvement of European leaders in the reconciliation process "enables the achievement of political consensus."

TBILISI -- Georgian lawmakers have observed a minute of silence to honor the dozens of people who have died in clashes in Kyiv.

The gesture came during the president's annual address to parliament.

Addressing the chamber on February 21, where Ukrainian flags were on display on the desks of many lawmakers, President Giorgi Margvelashvili said Ukrainian authorities had crossed the line by using arms against their own citizens, which is "inadmissible for any government."

Margvelashvili added that the involvement of European leaders in the reconciliation process "enables the achievement of political consensus."

Georgia hopes to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union by August.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's sudden decision to step away from signing a similar document in late November triggered antigovernment protests that led to the deadly clashes in Kyiv this week.