Poland's work visa move can be followed by EU action, Georgian opposition

Poland's call for work visa requirements for Georgian citizens could be followed by similar measures in other European countries and eventually by an EU decision on visa-free travel, Giorgi Butikashvili of the Coalition for Change has warned.

"This is a continuing process and is the result of what Georgian Dream has been doing over the past two years," Butikashvili said.

He claimed that Poland had already responded to developments involving Georgia and suggested Germany and France could take similar action.

Poland's call for work visa requirements for Georgian citizens could be followed by similar measures in other European countries and eventually by an EU decision on visa-free travel, Giorgi Butikashvili of the Coalition for Change has warned.

"This is a continuing process and is the result of what Georgian Dream has been doing over the past two years," Butikashvili said.

He claimed that Poland had already responded to developments involving Georgia and suggested Germany and France could take similar action.

"Poland has responded today, Germany will respond tomorrow, and France the day after tomorrow," he said.

Butikashvili said the introduction of work visa requirements would demonstrate growing pressure on Georgian citizens and argued that the EU could ultimately reconsider its visa-free regime with Georgia.

"If Poland asked today for work visas to be introduced for Georgians, tomorrow the European Union will make a decision regarding visa-free travel," he said.

he said.

Butikashvili said the introduction of work visa requirements would demonstrate growing pressure on Georgian citizens and argued that the EU could ultimately reconsider its visa-free regime with Georgia.

"If Poland asked today for work visas to be introduced for Georgians, tomorrow the European Union will make a decision regarding visa-free travel," he said.