Georgian Foreign Minister denies visa-free travel suspension possibility

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili dismissed recent reports regarding possible suspension of visa-free travel with the European Union, calling it “blackmail” against Georgian citizens. In an interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili stated that the fear of potential measures against Georgian citizens was an attempt to “instrumentalize EU policy.”

“I am almost 100 percent sure that no one in the European Union will share this approach, and it will not happen that citizens of Georgia will be punished in any way,” the Minister asserted.

Botchorishvili acknowledged that the EU would consider additional measures regarding Georgia on Monday, but emphasized that the Georgian side does not anticipate these decisions to harm bilateral relations. She urged patience as discussions among EU member states unfold, noting differing opinions within the Union, with some countries taking a more aggressive stance while others do not share those views.

“There are countries within the EU that think differently, and there are EU member states that are much more critical of the Georgian Government. However, there are 27 countries in the EU, and decisions are made unanimously when it comes to sanctions or other punitive measures,” she concluded.