Parliament Vice Speaker slams Donald Tusk’s comment on visa-free travel suspension as “inadequate, anti-Georgian, hostile”

Gia Volski, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the First Vice Speaker of the Parliament, on Thursday vehemently criticised recent remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk regarding the potential suspension of visa-free travel for Georgia.

“Indeed, some Georgians commit crimes in Poland, but their numbers are significantly smaller compared to nationals of other countries. I believe this is an attempt to divert public attention, given the tense debate on the vote of confidence in the Sejm, where the current government only narrowly secured support”, the Parliament official said.

He further added that Tusk’s strong rhetoric largely reflected the domestic political tensions in Poland.

“Of course, when you are in a foreign country, you must not commit crimes, and in any case, an entire nation should not be placed under pressure for the actions of individuals. The most common offenses involve theft, drunk driving, and drug-related issues, which unfortunately are not unique to Georgians”, Volski noted.

“Talk of suspending visa-free travel is clearly political. The idea of revoking Georgia’s visa-free travel is inappropriate, politically motivated, anti-Georgian, and hostile. It is a reflection of the current political situation in Poland, where the government-backed president was not elected, and the vote of confidence was under intense debate”, he concluded.