Use of visa liberalisation as ‘blackmail’ against Georgia ‘regrettable’, PM

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has criticised “attempts” to use the European Union's visa liberalisation regime as an alleged tool of political pressure against Georgia, calling the situation "regrettable".

Speaking to Georgian journalists in Bishkek on Friday, Kobakhidze said the Georgian government remains open to dialogue with the EU but objected to what he characterised as efforts to leverage visa-free travel arrangements for political purposes.

"It is unfortunate that the issue of visa liberalisation is being used for blackmail," Kobakhidze said.

He claimed Georgia has provided clear answers to questions raised by European institutions and is prepared to continue discussions on all issues, including those related to visas.

Kobakhidze argued that some actors are attempting to use visa liberalisation as a means of exerting pressure on the Georgian state and society.

"We have answers to every question and are absolutely open to dialogue," he said.

The prime minister expressed hope that European institutions would adopt “a fairer approach” towards Georgia and its citizens.

He further claimed that, after previous avenues of pressure had been exhausted, visa liberalisation had become the only remaining mechanism that certain groups could theoretically use against Georgia.