Mayor Kaladze: Suspending visa-free is unfortunate; why should anyone be happy about losing this benefit?

“Why should anyone be happy about suspending visa liberalisation? It’s unfortunate when such a benefit is taken away,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze responded to questions regarding the potential suspension of Georgia’s visa-free regime with the European Union, calling it an unfair move.

Kaladze criticised what he described as repeated ‘blackmail’ by some EU member states.

“Once again, we are witnessing blackmail. The first instance was the issue of granting Georgia EU candidate status. We recall how some countries, despite Georgia excelling in reforms, economic development, and institutional stability, still received the status, while Georgia was denied it. This was used as a tool against the Georgian government. The narrative was clear: “You, the people, are good and deserve the candidate status, but your government is bad.” The goal was to incite unrest and attempt a coup. But they failed,” Kaladze stated.

According to him, the latest pressure point being used against the Georgian government is the potential cancellation of visa-free travel.

“They also failed with the issue of opening accession negotiations. Now, the only thing left is visa liberalisation, which they are again using against the government. But beyond that, we must focus on what truly matters, the country’s security, long-term peace, and economic development,” Kaladze concluded.