Georgian Foreign Minister responds to EU letter, alleges visa-free travel being used as “pressure tool”

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Tuesday made her first public comments regarding an eight-point letter from the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, expressინგ concern that the visa-free travel with the EU was being weaponised to exert pressure on Georgian society.

Botchorishvili’s response came after the European Commission had sent a letter, outlining eight recommendations the country must fulfil to avoid jeopardizing its visa-free travel with the EU. One of the main recommendations is the repeal of the laws on transparency of foreign influence and on the protection of family values and minors.

“We saw how the issue of [EU membership] candidate status was used as an instrument for political struggle. Today, we see that the issue of visa-free travel is being used as a tool to punish Georgian society. This is practically a threat to Georgian society”, the Minister said in an interview with Imedi TV.

She further emphasised that there was “no reason whatsoever” to question the visa-free travel, highlighting steps Georgia had taken to ensure smooth travel for its citizens and prevent issues for the EU, including implementing controls at Georgia's borders with the help of Frontex representatives to prevent illegal migration.

Botchorishvili also claimed “unprecedented attempts to interfere in Georgia's elections”, noting the involvement of European politicians in the pre-election period “to the same extent as Georgian politicians”. She suggested that because the desired outcome was not achieved, with the Georgian people making the choice they believed was necessary for the country, “certain forces are now seeking to activate other mechanisms to influence Georgian society more”.

The Foreign Minister further stated that there were “certain attempts to involve our country in processes that will bring instability to the country and will have destructive consequences”.

“What is being demanded from Georgia is not democratic at all and does not align with any values”, Botchorishvili asserted.