Georgian PM says possible EU visa suspension has lost its “blackmail power”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Tuesday that the possible suspension of visa-free travel to the European Union no longer has political leverage, arguing that all forms of pressure on Georgia have been exhausted.

Speaking on the Public Broadcaster’s programme Actual Topic, Kobakhidze said that while visa liberalisation had once been a politically sensitive issue, it has now lost its relevance as a tool of influence.

“It is in our interest, and in the interest of our citizens, to have comfort and not to force people to stand in visa queues. But they have so worn out all instruments of blackmail that this instrument as well - the possible suspension of visa liberalisation - no longer has any power,” he said.

He said attempts to use the issue to provoke political instability in Georgia would fail, adding that society “thinks soberly” and approaches decisions pragmatically, even those he described as unjust decisions taken by European bureaucrats.

Kobakhidze expressed confidence that European institutions would ultimately act pragmatically and refrain from suspending visa-free travel. He added that even if such a decision were taken, it would not trigger unrest in Georgia and would only deprive Brussels of what he called its “last remaining tool” of pressure against the Georgian people.