Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Bundestag, Michael Roth, says many governments in the European Union are already considering suspending the visa free regime for Georgia.
Roth said in an interview with PalitraNews that he himself was against the suspension of the visa-free regime, but his position has changed, claiming that the government of Georgia should pay the price and that Georgia cannot live in two worlds.
“I was categorically against suspending the visa-free travel, but I have changed my position, and it is difficult for me. I know that my friends have to pay a very high price for this, but this is the most important tool that we have from our side to send a clear message to Tbilisi – to stop this anti-democratic policy. Get back on track. Bring this country closer to the European Union. We help you, we support you. This government must pay the price. That is why I really hope that we can avoid such a situation, because I know that many governments in the EU, but not all, are already considering suspending visa-free travel.
“I did not expect these events, but if society decides (and it is legitimate) that ‘we prefer Russian life,’ we must respect it, but you cannot live in two worlds. This is the Serbian way. Serbian leader Mr. Vučit tells his people, ‘we can have both. We have very close historical economic ties with Russia, but on the other hand we get money from Brussels and German investments.’ By no means. If the ruling party asks me, I will say, ‘friends, the Serbian model is not encouraging,'” said Roth.
