Georgia’s ruling party official accuses EU of “immoral blackmail” over visa liberalisation

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday accused the European Union of engaging in “an extremely immoral form of blackmail” against the Georgian people.

In a social media message, Mdinaradze noted that the EU was threatening to revoke visa liberalisation if Georgia does not comply with certain demands related to peace, family values, national policy, and economic progress.

“If you don't obey us, if you don't reject peace, family values, national policy, economic progress, and similar issues, and if you don't support our agents, we will cancel your visa liberalisation - an extremely immoral form of blackmail, which they no longer even hide”, the ruling party official said.

He further elaborated on what he perceives as a direct threat to the Georgian populace.

“The object of blackmail: the Georgian people!!! Until now, they only threatened and sanctioned us politicians. The author of the blackmail: no more, no less - the EU Ambassador, who made a statement a few hours ago saying that if we no longer let you into Europe without a visa, the responsibility for this lies with your Government!” he noted.

Reaffirming the Government's position, Mdinaradze concluded with a defiant message, emphasising that Georgians would not exchange sovereignty and dignity for visa privileges.

“Georgia and the Georgian people will never give up freedom at any cost - this is the main secret of our homeland's three-thousand-year statehood, which they find very difficult to comprehend!” Mdinaradze concluded.