FM Bochorishvili: Hope EU will not use visa liberalization against Georgian citizens

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili stated that matters related to the country’s European integration, including visa-free travel, are increasingly being used as a means of pressure on Georgia.

“This is a very difficult decision for Brussels. We see that issues related to European integration, including visa-free travel, are very often being used as a tool—sometimes even as a tool of blackmail—against Georgia.

To what extent Brussels may use visa liberalisation as a means to punish the citizens of Georgia is, in the end, up to Brussels. However, I hope this will not be the case. I hope that the ongoing discussions in Brussels will not be used unfairly against the people of Georgia. Everything we are observing now resembles a tool of pressure, although I still hope it will not turn into an instrument of punishment,” Botchorishvili said.