Stopping the repression, releasing those unfairly detained, repealing repressive legislation, ensuring an open dialogue is the only way to resolve the ongoing crisis and ensure a return to Georgia’s EU path, - EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczyński told InterpressNews, responding to a question about the recommendations set out by the European Commission for the Georgian Dream relating to visa liberalization and the statements of Georgian government representatives that EU is blackmailing Georgia.

In addition, the ambassador said that the Georgian government has time “until the end of August to reply and take action.” In addition, according to the diplomat, there is a risk that the most tangible benefit of EU integration, visa-free travel, could be soon lost for all Georgian citizens.

“Once a year, the European Commission issues a visa suspension mechanism report for countries enjoying the privilege of a visa-free travel to the EU. The last Commission report, including for Georgia was published in December 2024. The next report will be published this autumn and will reflect the latest developments. Meanwhile, the Georgian authorities have been asked in a recent letter from the Commission to report back by the end of August on the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations from December 2024. March 28, 2017 was the first day Georgian nationals travelled visa-free to Schengen Area countries. It was the Georgian Dream government in 2017, which proudly celebrated this milestone. This was a truly historic day and a result of recognizing the progress made by Georgia. Unfortunately, and especially after Georgia formally became a candidate country for EU membership in December 2023, Georgian authorities have been taking steps, which caused rapid democratic backsliding, contrary to many calls from the EU to reverse track.

The visa-free regime is granted based on the fulfilment of a number of conditions. One of them is the respect for fundamental rights and freedoms. Last December, in its visa suspension mechanism report, the Commission gave clear recommendations to Georgia to address concerns related to human rights and fundamental freedoms. The recommendations included the repealing of certain laws and amending others to ensure compliance with European and international standards. So far, Georgian authorities have chosen not to act upon them. In fact, the human rights situation in Georgia has worsened even further. Georgian authorities now have until the end of August to reply and take action.

We have already suspended the relevant provisions of the EU-Georgia Visa facilitation agreement to allow Member States to require a visa for holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports. A failure to address Commission’s recommendations could lead to further measures, including the EU decision to activate the visa-suspension mechanism. Such a decision would not require the unanimity of all Member States, but the qualified majority (15 out of 27 Member States, representing at least 65% of the EU population).

Rules apply to all EU partners equally. By signing the visa-free agreement, Georgia committed to abide by these rules. The full responsibility lies with the Georgian authorities.

It is heart breaking to see that instead of benefiting from new advantages that EU integration offers to candidate countries, such as the “Roam Like at Home” policy and participation in the Single Euro Payments Area and many others, there is a risk that even the most tangible benefit of EU integration, visa-free travel, could be soon lost for all Georgian citizens.

The EU fully respects Georgia’s culture and identity. Our shared commitment to human rights and universal values is what brought us together. At the same time, fundamental rights are essential for a just and democratic society and for all persons. Spreading hatred and encouraging discrimination only creates divisions and conflict.

The EU has provided major support for Georgia’s stability and prosperity over the years. We are staunch supporters of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We remain fully committed to the European aspirations of the Georgian people.

Stopping the repression, releasing those unfairly detained, repealing repressive legislation, ensuring an open dialogue is the only way to resolve the ongoing crisis and ensure a return to Georgia’s EU path.

As regards your question about EU allegedly blackmailing Georgia with a choice between visa-free travel and peace and stability - and I also even heard that Brussels is compared with Moscow of the Soviet times – all I can say is, that one of the reasons to bring Georgia closer to the EU, including through visa-free travel, was precisely to see the difference and I hope that Georgian citizens can make their own judgement”, said the Ambassador.