Georgian FM: EU messages support Georgians’ European aspirations while threatening visa-free travel

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday criticized the European Union for supporting Georgian citizens’ European aspirations and at the same time blackmailing Georgia, the same citizens, by suspending the visa-free travel.

In response to a journalist's question if suspending the visa-free travel was expected to be activated by the end of the year, Botchorishvili noted that this issue was on the table and it was still valid as a blackmail mechanism to be used.

“It is, of course, in their hands, when they want to use this mechanism. It is simply unfortunate that such an attitude exists towards the Georgian public from the European Union, when we hear completely different messages, that they support the European aspirations of the Georgian population, etc. At the same time, they are blackmailing Georgia, the same population and the same citizens by suspending the visa-free travel”, the FM said.

“Once again, I have said many times that it is unlikely. This is a fairly effective mechanism of blackmail, let's say, they are making people, part of the public, nervous to some extent. However, I do not think that even if they use this mechanism, it will have the result they want. Our public has shown a fairly firm position. We have gone through a lot, a lot of pressure was applied to our public in order to influence the positions of our public. I think Georgia, the Georgian public, has said its part”, she concluded.