“Punishing Georgian people for democracy”: Georgian FM criticises potential EU decision on visa-free suspension

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Thursday commented on the possibility of a visa-liberalisation suspension, saying that if Brussels decides to suspend Georgia’s visa-free travel as a form of punishment for the Georgian people “for making the democratic choice they made”, this responsibility “will rest entirely with Brussels”.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili noted that European integration had been used as a political instrument in relations with Georgia for years.

“This was the case with the candidate status, and we saw the continuation of this approach. How reasonable is it to use this instrument? The elections are over - all of this was aimed at influencing the Government ahead of the vote. One election ended, the second election ended, and no new elections are expected in the near future. So how meaningful is it to fire this weapon now to change public sentiment or provoke a revolution?”, she pointed out.

The FM further added it was false to claim that Ukraine and Moldova were ahead of Georgia in the integration process.

“This is a lie, and it will not remain hidden. It is impossible to believe such claims. In terms of development, Georgia is well ahead of Ukraine and Moldova. When someone tells you that black is white, we cannot accept it. Georgia is certainly behind no one. This report is simply being used to justify the narrative they have long been trying to construct. Let’s not forget - in 2022, when we submitted our application, Georgia was the leading country among the Associated Trio. Then an active campaign began, portraying Georgia as lagging behind - Georgian politicians were using that term in Parliament. The same is happening now”, Botchorishvili concluded.