The fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, has addressed an open letter to the foreign ministers of the European Union member states. Zourabichvili calls on them to demand that the Georgian authorities release political prisoners, abandon anti-European rhetoric, and repeal anti-European legislation.
“The continuation of the current ruling regime’s political course stands in sharp contradiction to the will of the Georgian people, the absolute majority of whom consistently and unconditionally support European integration. Instead of advancing Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic course, the authorities are pursuing a policy that undermines the foundations of the country’s partnership with the European Union.
That is why, ahead of the upcoming meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, we reach out with clear expectations and call on the ministers to reaffirm their support for the democratic and European aspirations of the Georgian people, demand the release of prisoners of conscience, and urge the regime to abandon its anti-European rhetoric and repeal anti-European laws.
At the same time, we expect that all targeted measures previously blocked due to the unanimity requirement will now be seriously considered.
Although restricting access only for holders of diplomatic and service passports has in practice proved ineffective, any broader measures must be approached with a clear principle in mind: the Georgian people must not be punished for the regime’s policies.
The visa-free regime with the European Union is not a procedural formality. It is Georgia’s most tangible European achievement, won through decades of complex democratic reforms and the unwavering will of the people. It is a living expression of Georgia’s European identity and an enduring bond between the Georgian people and the European family.
Therefore, any threats to suspend the visa-free regime must be considered with extreme caution. Such a step does not serve the interests of Georgian citizens; it would benefit the ruling regime, which seeks to consolidate its power by severing the country’s ties with the democratic West, as well as Georgia’s adversaries, who are interested in distancing it from its European partners. This must not be allowed to happen,” reads the letter from Salome Zourabichvili.