Georgia is at risk of losing its visa-free regime with the European Union due to the actions of the authorities, according to Grigol Gegelia, one of the leaders of the “Lelo – Strong Georgia” coalition. According to the opposition politician, the current situation indicates a serious deterioration in relations between Georgia and the EU:
“For Georgian society, the contrast is obvious: right now we should have been starting EU accession talks, but instead, the negotiations concerning Georgia are focused on a completely different issue—whether we will lose our visa-free regime with the EU. This is a direct result of the policy of the ‘Kotsebi’ (a colloquial term for the ruling Georgian Dream party).”
“The Georgian Dream regime has got its way—millions of Georgians are now facing the risk that, unfortunately, we may lose visa-free travel within the European Union. This is a heavy blow for the Georgian people, and the political responsibility lies squarely with the Georgian Dream team. The only party whose actions have led to the potential suspension of the visa-free regime for Georgia being considered today is the Georgian Dream regime.
Based on what we are hearing from Brussels, the European Commission, and the European Parliament, expectations look quite skeptical. If political processes in Georgia continue in the same direction, if the undermining of the rule of law and political persecution persist—and these are the very criteria used to assess whether a country should retain its visa-free status—then, of course, our visa-free regime will be revoked.
Papuashvili claimed that we are being asked to destroy the country. Everyone must understand that this is shameless propaganda. No one is demanding the destruction of the country. Everyone is merely demanding that the rule of law and functioning democratic institutions exist in Georgia. Papuashvili calls this the destruction of the country. Every citizen of Georgia must understand that Europe is demanding what is beneficial for us, while Papuashvili calls what is beneficial for us the destruction of the state,” Gegelia stated.
As a reminder, a meeting will be held in Brussels as part of the visa dialogue between the European Union and Georgia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia explains that, in accordance with Article 8e(9) of EU Regulation No. 2018/1806, during the period of the suspension mechanism, the European Commission is obliged to initiate a dialogue with the respective third country.
