“The EU is weaponising certain issues for political blackmail; in reality, they have nothing to do with the smooth operation of the visa-free regime,” stated MP Levan Makhashvili, Chairman of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament.

According to Makhashvili, the laws concerning transparency and family values are unrelated to the security and proper functioning of the European Union.

“We anticipate that tensions will escalate before the elections, possibly as an attempt to bolster the opposition from abroad. However, in essence, nothing extraordinary is happening. The visa-free process has always been an ongoing effort. Georgia has been actively cooperating with the European Commission, receiving varying numbers of recommendations – sometimes five, other times fifteen. We have diligently addressed each one, progressing step by step and leveraging every opportunity, to ensure the system operates smoothly while steadfastly safeguarding Georgia’s national interests.

During the recent spring session, Georgia took several measures and made important decisions related to managing illegal migration, asylum policy, and combating organised crime and corruption. We will continue this cooperation with the European Commission moving forward. Ultimately, these issues boil down to two or three laws, which suggests they are being exploited for political blackmail. In truth, these laws have little to do with the proper functioning of the visa-free regime.

It’s akin to taking a car for a technical inspection: if the vehicle meets all the criteria, it should pass. Yet, if the inspector demands you to switch from a blue car to a red one, simply because the EU itself owns both, then it’s clear that the focus is not on safety or security, but on manipulation. These issues are being used as tools, not based on actual concerns about the system’s integrity,” Makhashvili explained.