MP Makhashvili: If Brussels push for LGBT propaganda instead of visa-free, Georgians resist this manipulation

“Visa liberalisation has its own criteria, based upon which the proper functioning of the visa liberalisation system is typically assessed. When it comes to evaluating these criteria, we are confident that, with an objective assessment, visa liberalisation faces no threat whatsoever,” the Chairman of the European Integration Committee of Georgia’s Parliament, MP Levan Makhashvili, declared.

Makhashvili was asked about an article by RFERL journalist Rickard Jozwiak, which claims that Brussels is demanding the repeal of the Transparency of Foreign Influence and Family Values and Protection of Minors laws, threatening to suspend visa liberalisation in response. According to Jozwiak’s assessment, the necessary number of countries for this action already exists.

“Within a few days, we shall deliver concrete decisions, legislative acts and executive government decisions, which clearly demonstrate the Georgian government’s commitment to the proper functioning of visa liberalisation, including border management, illegal migration, asylum policy and so forth. However, alongside this, we frequently hear manipulation and blackmail on this matter, which is often employed to pressure the government and attempt to alter government decisions.

We expect there will continue to be attempts to use the visa liberalisation issue to blackmail the population and influence their free will at elections. For Georgia’s population, it is unacceptable to link this matter to such significant issues as the Transparency Law and the Law on Family Values and Protection of Minors. On one side lies the desire and will of Georgia’s population, the will of any state to be protected from external, harmful interference, including LGBT propaganda and shadow money circulation. On the other side is the desire to preserve visa liberalisation,” Makhashvili noted.

According to Makhashvili’s statement, there is an expectation that ultimately, the political decision regarding Georgia will be positive.

“If Brussels bureaucrats wish to promote LGBT propaganda instead of visa liberalisation, to interfere in internal affairs and circulate shadow money for political purposes, then, naturally, Georgia’s population’s response in this regard will be very clear: blackmail and manipulation on this issue will not work. Our expectation, as has been the case in recent months, is that Brussels bureaucracy will attempt to manipulate on this matter. Ultimately, the political decision regarding Georgia will be positive, and visa liberalisation will face no threat whatsoever. We have heard many times, ‘everything is on the table,’ but in the end, we know that member states do not typically make such harsh decisions that would make it impossible to return to normal frameworks. Let us not forget the main factor behind this discussion: municipal elections to influence the population’s free will and choice.

Ultimately, based on the information available, most member states view and assess relations with Georgia reasonably. The majority wish to continue their relations with Georgia on normal and civilised terms,” declared Levan Makhashvili.