“One of the topics discussed at today’s Resistance Platform was visa liberalization. The Russian regime is employing the issue of visa liberalization in two distinct ways,” former Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili stated at a briefing.
Salome Zurabishvili claimed that the Georgian Dream is attempting to end visa liberalization.
“First, this is part of an intimidation campaign aimed at instilling fear—suggesting that you will lose everything and that nothing will remain for you. Moral pressure is being applied to society. The main point of this campaign is that it does not originate from Brussels or any European capital; it comes from Tbilisi, from this regime whose objective is to end visa liberalization. This is not a decision they are trying to prevent; it is their goal.
Their actions demonstrate this, as the regime routinely insults European capitals and local ambassadors, often issuing direct threats. This tactic is a direct continuation of the decision they made on November 28 to halt the EU integration process. We are heading toward a situation where this regime seeks Georgia’s complete isolation. This is Russian policy; Russia aims to isolate Georgia from its European and American partners, leaving it alone, unprotected, with its independence trampled upon and subject to Russia’s various interests.
The regime is also attempting to condition people to accept a future of isolation without visa liberalization. They are trying to shift the blame onto Europe, suggesting that Europe is punishing us. However, Europe does not punish anyone except for certain individuals in response to specific violations, whether in the judicial sphere or law enforcement. In fact, Europe is not punishing society at all. On the contrary, we must remember that Georgia was granted candidate status because Europe recognized the commitment and readiness of Georgian society for European integration, as well as its fierce defence of this path. Therefore, there is no intent to revoke the benefits of visa liberalization for the people.
If this regime continues its efforts to isolate Georgia from its partners and push it into a completely closed state, the responsibility lies with Ivanishvili and the clan currently ruling this country by Russian methods. Thus, do not heed the propaganda on this issue. Instead, reflect on who is truly separating Georgia from Europe. Europe has made significant efforts to open pathways that will transform the Georgian passport into a European passport. The best way to reintegrate Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region is through joining Europe, not distancing ourselves from it. This is a crucial issue that demands our consideration.
I recall my efforts regarding citizenship issues, where I sought to facilitate the return and restoration of citizenship for people living in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali who previously held Georgian citizenship. There was substantial demand from those regions as sanctions against Russia had disconnected them from the outside world. Unfortunately, I could not secure approval from any authorities during my tenure to act on this matter, despite my repeated attempts to convince others of its importance. Once again, I must emphasize that our path to independence and unification lies with Europe, not with Russia,” Salome Zurabishvili stated.
