“Blackmail has been going on for quite some time and continues to this day. The process of European integration is being used to provoke internal tensions, awaken radical groups, and incite divisions among people. Visa liberalization is not the main issue – Georgia’s interests, independence, and sovereignty come first,” – stated Kakha Kaladze, Secretary General of Georgian Dream and Mayor of Tbilisi, in response to discussions regarding the potential suspension of visa-free travel.

According to Kaladze, no one will be allowed to use the language of blackmail to put Georgia in a negative context for their own gain.

“This is nothing new – it’s not the first time we’re hearing such statements. The blackmail has been ongoing for a while: first it was about granting or denying candidate status, then about opening or not opening accession negotiations. European integration is constantly used as a tool for blackmail. This approach is unacceptable. We aren’t attacking anyone – we are simply defending our country and its interests. We don't want anyone to have the opportunity to exploit our country for their own agenda.

We are an independent and sovereign state, and our desire to be part of Europe is based on the aspiration for European values – freedom of speech and expression, property rights, and the sanctity of private business. We remember the years when these values were trampled upon: when dissent was persecuted, businesses were terrorized, people were dragged into prisons at night, and forced to hand over their companies – and back then, European bureaucrats referred to that system as a ‘beacon of democracy.’ Let them keep that beacon for themselves. We are building a strong, independent, and sovereign country where the interests of the nation and its people come first.”

Kaladze emphasized that the European integration process is being misused as a political weapon to stir up instability and provoke conflict within the country.

“We’ve seen how various issues have been exploited in the past – for instance, the candidate status debate was used to try to stage a revolution, create unrest, and push for a coup, and it didn’t work. Then came the question of opening negotiations. Now it’s visa liberalization. But again – the core issue is not visa-free travel; it’s about Georgia’s national interests – independence and sovereignty. Today, every patriotic Georgian, born in this country and who loves it, feels proud that no one dares dictate to the Georgian government or our nation. The commanding tone that existed for years is no longer acceptable – that’s what they are fighting against, and that’s why they’re furious,” – Kaladze declared.

Kaladze also referred to earlier attempts to pressure Georgia, especially when there were strong external pushes for Georgia’s involvement in war.

“We are the only government since the restoration of independence under which the country has not been at war. Maintaining long-term peace is of fundamental importance. Despite the many enemies within the country and people who have tried to drag Georgia into war, open a second front – despite enormous pressure from abroad, which still continues today in the form of various types of blackmail – we will do everything to preserve peace and stability, ensure the country’s economic development, and not allow anyone to compromise Georgia’s interests in favor of another major power. Our country and our homeland come first,” – Kaladze concluded.