Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker says EU’s “unfair” suspension of visa-free travel would be “disappointing” for Georgians

Nino Tsilosani, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party and Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Sunday said it would be “deeply disappointing for the Georgian people” if the European Union decided to suspend Georgia’s visa-free travel.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Tsilosani stressed that the Georgian people did not deserve to have a fairly earned benefit restricted.

“It would be unfair and would naturally cause resentment among Georgians. We fully understand the choice being presented to us in exchange for maintaining visa liberalisation. But if we are asked to give up our identity and everything our country stands for just to travel comfortably, no trueGeorgian would make such a choice. Nor do we, as representatives of the people, have the right to make such an unworthy decision”, the Parliament Vice Speaker said.

Speaking about her expectations regarding a possible suspension of visa liberalization, Tsilosani noted that while she cannot rule out such a decision, the results of the October 4 elections - which demonstrated that Georgians would not change their stance despite pressure - might influence the EU’s final position.

“I cannot completely exclude this possibility; however, the outcome of the October 4 elections, showing that Georgians will not alter their position despite blackmail, may have an impact and prevent the EU from making an incorrect decision to suspend visa liberalization. It would not create a positive atmosphere if they were to impose such a punitive measure merely because Georgians chose independence over submission to someone else’s will”, she concluded.