Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday defiantly rejected what he termed an EU “ultimatum” threatening suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens unless Tbilisi reverses its democratic backsliding, according to Politico.
The European Union earlier this week set an end-of-August deadline for Georgia to address critical concerns, specifically demanding repeal of its contentious foreign agents registration law and guarantees for freedom of expression.
Kobakhidze dismissed the significance of visa-free access to Europe, stating it was not “existential” for Georgia. He reiterated defence of the foreign agents law, asserting it was essential to safeguard Georgian “peace and stability” against external interference.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that “Georgia’s democratic backsliding will come at [a] cost.”
While the EU has long considered sanctioning officials responsible for crackdowns, such measures require unanimous member-state approval, a hurdle given Georgian Dream’s alliances with Hungary and Slovakia.
By contrast, suspending visa-free travel necessitates only a qualified majority vote, presenting a more viable enforcement tool. This leverage was partially exercised in January when the Council suspended visa-free privileges for Georgian diplomats and officials.
The August deadline now looms as a critical test of Brussels’ resolve to uphold democratic “ultimatums”.
