Speaker Papuashvili: EU visa liberalisation should not be linked to political conditions

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has said the European Union's visa liberalisation mechanism should be based on established criteria and procedures rather than
“politically motivated conditions” imposed on Georgia.

Speaking to journalists ahead of a planned technical-level meeting between Georgian officials and the European Commission on 11 June, Papuashvili said the dialogue was part of a standard process and would be attended by a delegation assembled by the Foreign Ministry.

He stressed that the meeting would be technical rather than political in nature.

Papuashvili added some of the conditions discussed by European officials have included calls for Georgia to align with EU sanctions policy, including measures against Russia, and objections to legislation requiring greater transparency in foreign funding.

He said the Georgian government would not support policies that it believes could endanger the country's security or undermine its sovereignty.

Papuashvili argued that, instead of focusing on the criteria traditionally associated with visa liberalisation, political demands had been introduced that interfere with Georgia's right to determine its own domestic agenda.

"Visa liberalisation has its own procedures and prerequisites. What we have seen is the invention of political conditions against Georgia instead of criteria relevant to visa liberalisation," Papuashvili said.

He added that Georgia's sovereignty was not open to negotiation and should be respected in discussions with international partners.