Chair of the EU Integration Committee, MP Levan Makhashvili, stated that there are no grounds or expectations for the suspension of Georgia’s visa-free regime with the European Union. Speaking to GPB First Channel, Makhashvili claimed that “radical groups have tried to disguise themselves but have failed,” adding that visa-free travel has become a “tool of political blackmail” in the hands of the opposition.
Makhashvili claimed that the radical opposition is actively lobbying for the suspension of visa liberalization.
“Suspending visa-free travel will have little impact on specific groups, as there is no issue for the Georgian government that could be used as a tool of blackmail regarding national interests. The opposition is fully aware of this, yet they continue to demand the suspension of visa-free travel for the Georgian population. They either fail to grasp the implications or are deliberately risking the country’s interests and the well-being of our people for their own gain,” Makhashvili said.
He added that opposition representatives are conducting campaigns in European capitals advocating for the suspension of Georgia’s visa-free travel with the EU.
“As we know, there is no consensus on this issue. Many EU member states believe that suspending visa liberalisation would be unfounded and a mistake. It could open a Pandora’s box and create a domino effect for other countries. There are no grounds or expectations for the suspension of visa-free travel,” the MP concluded.
