Georgian Parliament official: EU officials use coercion, blackmail to pressure Georgian People

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Saturday accused European officials of using pressure and blackmail against Georgia following the European Commission’s report on the possible suspension of visa-free travel.

Responding to the European Commission’s report that raised the possibility of suspending visa-free travel for Georgian citizens, Matikashvili said the document once again demonstrated what he described as coercive tactics used by European structures toward Georgia.

In his remarks, the official noted that the report reflected political pressure rather than a fair assessment and showed what he called an “anti-Georgian” approach by Euro-bureaucracy.

“The European bureaucracy has once again shown Georgia and the entire world its anti-Georgian face - once again we hear blackmail, pressure, and coercion coming from European structures. What are they demanding from us? They are demanding that we, the Georgian people, repeal the transparency law, through which Georgia protects its sovereignty. That we repeal legislation protecting minors, which constitutes a necessary protection mechanism for our future generation”, he said.

Matikashvili stressed that Georgian society clearly saw these actions as blackmail and coercion.

“The Georgian people have seen the coercion and blackmail that European officials are using in order to exert pressure on the Georgian people and force them to make the decisions they want”, he concluded.