Visa liberalisation threat: Georgian Parliament official calls it “last bullet”

Levan Machavariani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Deputy Chair of the parliamentary faction of the ruling party, on Tuesday responded to a recent statement by Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, describing it as “the last bullet left in the chamber”.

Machavariani’s comments came after Kallas indicated that the EU was observing “serious backsliding” in Georgia and was considering all options, including the suspension of visa-free travel, if certain conditions are not met within a specific timeframe.

“Our approach is based on the following principles: we protect our country’s independence, sovereignty, national interests, and maintain peace in this country. This is our agenda. We are absolutely open to dialogue with any partner, but it must be based on mutual respect and not on perceptions or blackmail”, Machavariani said.

The official emphasised that Georgia was open to dialogue with all international partners but stressed that such dialogue must be grounded in mutual respect, not perceptions or blackmail.

“We are not attacking anyone. We are in a defensive mode. We are a self-respecting nation, and we are obliged to respond to any type of disinformation directed at us. We do this not based on perceptions but by relying on arguments and facts. This approach of ours will not change. Therefore, the point of convergence is clear: we must operate under the fair rules of the game, and nothing should be baseless. If there are any claims, they should be grounded in arguments”, he noted.