Georgian civil society blames Gov't for threat to visa-free travel with EU

Over 40 Georgian civil society organizations have issued a joint statement in response to a letter from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, which raises the possibility of suspending Georgia's visa-free travel privileges with the European Union.

In the statement, the organizations directly blame the Georgian government for endangering one of the most tangible benefits of EU integration and warn that the consequences will fall squarely on the ruling Georgian Dream party, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili.

"The visa-free regime was not granted to the authorities, but to the people of Georgia — as recognition of our society’s consistent efforts toward democratic reform, rule of law, and human rights protection,” the statement reads.

The letter from Brussels, addressed to Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, requests detailed updates by the end of August on the government’s implementation of EU recommendations. If progress remains insufficient, the European Commission may move to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian citizens across the Schengen area.

The NGOs stress that the potential suspension would be a direct result of “the dismantling of democratic institutions and systemic sabotage of Georgia’s Western path,” carried out by a government acting “against the will of the people.”

“If the visa-free regime is suspended, full responsibility lies with Ivanishvili’s regime,” the statement declares. “It has erased progress achieved through decades of public struggle with a single stroke and is methodically damaging Georgia’s European future.”

The civil society groups also reaffirmed their strong support for EU integration and the constitutional choice of the Georgian people, calling on the ruling elite to step back from further confrontation with the country’s Western partners.

“Together with the majority of Georgian society, we remain firm supporters of European integration,” the signatories stated. “We call on Ivanishvili to stop sabotaging the constitutional will of the Georgian people and their path toward the European Union.”

The European Commission’s letter outlines expectations that the government either fully implement or take urgent steps to meet its recommendations — particularly those concerning protection of fundamental rights, repeal of repressive laws such as the “foreign influence” law and the “family values” legislative package, and safeguarding LGBTQ rights.

The Georgian Dream government has rejected criticism from Brussels, calling EU statements “blackmail” and “threats.” Levan Makhashvili, head of Parliament’s European integration committee, acknowledged receipt of the Commission’s letter but downplayed the urgency, noting that Parliament will not reconvene until September and that certain "red lines" will not be crossed — especially on issues such as family values.

As the standoff deepens, Georgian civil society is making clear it sees the government — not the EU — as the source of the current crisis.

“The responsibility is not with the European Union, which is acting based on its principles and values,” the NGOs emphasize. “The responsibility lies with the regime that is deliberately isolating Georgia from the democratic world.”