Georgian Parliament official denounces “threat, blackmail” to suspend visa liberalisation

Nino Tsilosani, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party and Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday criticised threats to suspend Georgia’s visa liberalisation with the European Union, calling it “a threat and blackmail” aimed at punishing the Georgian people.

In her remarks with Imedi TV, Tsilosani argued that such actions lack justification and serve as a deliberate attempt to penalise the nation.

“There may be issues in Brussels’ demands that are technically feasible, objective, and logical, but everything is so lumped together, with completely unacceptable demands regarding the repeal of laws, that I can’t even understand how addressing certain issues technically could help resolve the entire matter”, Tsilosani said.

The official further suggested that the motives behind these threats were apparent, hinting at political pressures tied to Georgia’s recent actions or inactions.

“The most important thing is that the very fact of threatening us with the suspension of visa liberalisation is, in itself, a threat and blackmail, aimed at punishing the Georgian people for something. It’s probably easy to guess what the Georgian people are being punished for. It’s also easy to guess what we haven’t done during this period. Of course, no one denies the benefits that come with visa liberalisation, and it was our initiative, achieved during our government’s tenure. Taking it away without any justification is a demonstrative punishment of the country”, she noted.

The European Commission had sent a letter to Georgia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Botchorishvili, 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.