Kaladze accuses west of 'blackmail' over EU visa-free travel

Tbilisi Mayor and ruling Georgian Dream party Secretary General Kakha Kaladze has accused Western institutions of using the issue of visa liberalisation as political blackmail against Georgia, warning that such pressure risked undermining the country’s security and stability.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Kaladze defended the Georgian government's stance amid growing EU criticism over controversial laws, which European officials warned could jeopardise Georgia’s visa-free regime. The mayor dismissed the concerns as part of a wider political campaign aimed at destabilising the government.

"Unfortunately, the blackmail continues. Today, the Georgian people are being blackmailed with the issue of visa liberalisation," Kaladze said. “This didn’t start yesterday. Georgia is under pressure. They tried to portray our government as pro-Russian simply because we refused to open a second front or join sanctions. Had we done that, the country would be in a much worse state today.”

Kaladze claimed the West had applied double standards, noting that similar laws existed in the United States and were being considered by the European Parliament. "We have not heard a single argument why these laws [the law on transparency on foreign influence] are a problem in Georgia," he said. 

Kaladze also addressed criticism on human rights, acknowledging isolated cases of police misconduct but accusing critics of ignoring “violent actions” by some protesters during pro-European protests. “You pardoned the person who threw a Molotov cocktail at a police officer and portrayed him as a hero. This contributes to polarization and division in society,” he said.

Kaladze further defended the government's record, saying human rights were protected in Georgia regardless of religion, politics, or sexual orientation. He argued that outside forces, including foreign-funded NGOs and media, were working to incite unrest.

He also claimed that Georgia was previously blackmailed over EU membership candidate status and that now, visa-free travel was being used as political leverage. “First it was candidate status, then the decision on opening negotiations, and now the last thing left is visa liberalisation. This is being used as a weapon against the Georgian government,” Kaladze said.

The mayor added that Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has expressed readiness to visit Brussels to discuss the concerns, but “not a single argument” has yet been presented by the EU.