Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has disregarded the notion that Georgia’s visa-free travel with the European Union significantly contributes to economic growth, calling such claims ‘pure speculation.’
“Visa liberalization is a technical issue,” Kobakhidze stated. “It simply determines whether you have to wait in a visa queue or not. Any expert will confirm it has no bearing on the economy.”
Addressing growing public concern over a potential suspension of Georgia’s visa-free regime, the prime minister instead talked about its role in encouraging emigration. He referenced the Baltic states, claiming that visa-free travel contributed to steep population declines: “Lithuania lost 600,000 people and Latvia 400,000. Without visa liberalization, more Georgians would’ve stayed in the country, bolstering our labor force and economy.”
His comments demonstrate a shift from his 2017 position. At the time, while serving as Speaker of Parliament, Kobakhidze had praised visa liberalization as the right step in Georgia’s path toward EU integration.
