Georgian NGOs slam ruling party statements over possible suspension of visa-liberalization with EU

Georgian civil society organizations have strongly criticized recent statements by senior officials from the ruling Georgian Dream party, who suggested that the EU might suspend visa-free travel for Georgian citizens.

In a joint statement signed by 25 organizations, the NGOs called the remarks “outrageous” and said they reflect a clear awareness within the ruling party that its actions are putting Georgia’s European future at serious risk.

“This is an attempt to justify the consequences of their own policies. By undermining Georgia’s European perspective, they seek to diminish and invalidate the progress made. While Georgian civil society has fought for years—based on the people’s will—for EU integration, candidate status, and visa liberalization, Georgian Dream is deliberately jeopardizing these achievements. Their main goal is to retain power, even at the cost of losing visa-free travel,” the statement reads.

The NGOs argue that the growing tension with the EU and the possible suspension of visa-free travel do not serve the interests of the Georgian people but rather those of Russia and the regime of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of Georgian Dream.

They urge the international community to target sanctions not at the Georgian people but at those responsible for passing unconstitutional laws, carrying out repression, and persecuting pro-European groups.

“It is clear that Georgian Dream, through its policies and anti-Western propaganda, is actively working to provoke a decision by the EU to suspend visa liberalization, which would place Georgian citizens in a dire situation,” the statement continues. “The regime is trying to deflect responsibility using propaganda tactics. They know very well that restoring visa-free travel, once revoked, could take years. Western partners have already revoked visa-free privileges for many top officials of the ruling party, including holders of diplomatic and official passports, and some have even been banned from entering specific countries. Now, Ivanishvili’s party wants the same fate for the Georgian people.”

The signatory organizations concluded by affirming their commitment to doing everything possible to prevent the suspension of visa-free travel.