Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze responded to the European Commission’s letter urging Georgia to implement eight key recommendations by stating that peace and stability take priority over visa liberalization.
“If the choice is between peace and stability or visa-free travel, we will always choose peace. This is the will of the Georgian people,” Kobakhidze told journalists.
He emphasized that whether citizens travel to Europe with or without a visa is not an existential issue, but “what they are proposing—to undermine our peace and stability—is.”
Addressing EU concerns over Georgia’s recent laws, including those on “family values” and “foreign influence transparency,” Kobakhidze defended the legislation, calling it essential for national security and democratic transparency.
“These laws are about transparency—about preventing revolutions. If foreign actors want to fund political activity here, it must be done openly. Opposing transparency raises serious questions,” he said.
Kobakhidze criticized the EU’s approach as resembling Soviet-style pressure: “In the Soviet Union, Moscow sent orders and punished those who didn’t obey. Brussels must not become like Moscow. Georgia will not accept political ultimatums.”
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s position: “We are responsible for Georgia’s peace, development, and stability. Visa-free travel is convenient, but peace and national values are existential. We will not compromise on them.”
The European Commission’s letter, sent by Beate Gminder, Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs, requested updates from the Georgian government on the implementation of eight key recommendations. These include repealing the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” and the “Family Values” legislative package, as well as revising the National Human Rights Strategy to ensure protection for LGBTQ+ individuals.
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