Georgian PM dismisses EU visa liberalisation threat, affirms commitment to EU integration

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday expressed scepticism that the EU would revoke Georgia’s visa liberalisation due to irritation with the Georgian people’s political choices, while criticising European bureaucracy’s support for a coup attempt and emphasising Georgia’s leading role among EU candidate countries.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze suggested that despite EU frustration with Georgia’s political direction, revoking visa-free travel would be an unwise step, though he acknowledged the bloc’s history of irrational actions, such as endorsing a failed coup.

“I think they won’t take such an unpragmatic step, despite having taken many unpragmatic steps so far. When the EU’s press spokesperson comes out and openly supports Paata Burchuladze’s announced coup attempt, you can see the extent of the absurdity European bureaucracy has descended into. On this backdrop, nothing may surprise you, but I still doubt that, despite their irritation - because the Georgian people, their choice, and their fight for peace and freedom greatly irritate them - they would take such an unpragmatic step and try to punish the Georgian people by cancelling visa liberalisation”, Kobakhidze said.

He highlighted Georgia’s exemplary performance in democracy, human rights, and economic reforms, asserting that the nation’s fight for freedom and EU membership by 2030 overshadows minor issues like visa policies.

“We are doing everything for European integration in general, including implementing the Association Agreement, the DCFTA agreement, and carrying out all related reforms. Georgia is the number one country among candidate countries in all areas, by all objective criteria, including the European Commission’s assessments, democracy, human rights, economy, business freedom, and so on – Georgia is in first place in every direction”, he noted.

“This is what we are doing. As for the rest, let’s see how pragmatic the EU’s approach will be. If it is pragmatic, we will become an EU member state in 2030. We are fighting for freedom. When you fight for freedom, standing in line for a visa is a secondary issue”, the PM concluded.