Stick for Georgia, carrot for Armenia Article by Vladimir Tskhvediani

While European and Georgian media, on the eve of the meeting between representatives of Georgia and the European Commission in Brussels on June 11, once again discussed the possible abolition of the visa-free regime for Georgian citizens, in neighbouring Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, after the parliamentary elections on June 7, continues to promise voters the opposite prospect — to secure visa-free travel with the European Union within the next two years.

As is known, the elections in Armenia were quite successful for Nikol Pashinyan’s party. Promises of “European integration” and “visa-free travel with the EU” certainly played a role in this outcome. It is no secret that many Armenians envy the ease with which Georgian citizens can visit EU countries. Armenian citizens still require a Schengen visa to enter European Union states. However, in general, obtaining one does not cause major difficulties. Nevertheless, Pashinyan’s pre-election promise that residents of Armenia would be able to fly from Shirak Airport to Larnaca with only a passport, and that the ticket would cost just two euros, was clearly well received by many.

It is quite possible that, as a form of encouragement for Yerevan’s pro-European course, the European Union will sooner or later introduce a visa-free regime for Armenian citizens. At the same time, no special conditions have so far been put forward by the EU. Brussels has not demanded that Armenia impose sanctions against Russia, nor have there been serious objections regarding sanctions circumvention schemes via Armenian territory, in particular through significant volumes of re-export of gold and diamonds. Nor is Armenia being required to leave the EAEU.

For Georgia, however, one of the main conditions for maintaining its visa-free regime with the EU is the introduction of sanctions against Russia, as explicitly stated by the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili. As a precautionary measure, the EU has already introduced visa requirements for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports.

“The issue concerns the introduction of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports. When this measure was introduced, it constituted a violation of an international agreement by the European Union. In relation to Georgia, the EU is violating international law. That, in itself, is a great embarrassment, although we see that a sense of embarrassment is not particularly present in Brussels.

Once they realized that this was a violation of international law, they introduced additional rules specifically for Georgia. They added political criteria to what had previously been purely technical criteria. Throughout the history of the EU’s visa and visa-free regimes, such political criteria had never existed.

The European Union spent time creating special rules tailored specifically to Georgia. That was a second violation - adapting EU regulations to target a single specific subject, namely Georgia. By introducing these political criteria, they effectively gave themselves the freedom, in their view, to demand whatever they want from us.

Now there seems to be no limit to their imagination. One day they tell us to impose sanctions on Russia and destroy ourselves if we want visa-free travel. That is what they are openly demanding. They are pushing us toward self-destruction by insisting that we sanction Russia,” said Shalva Papuashvili.

According to the Speaker of Parliament, the Georgian government cannot destroy the country simply because Brussels today wants to turn visa policy into a political instrument.

“If we destroy ourselves and ruin the country, who will then travel to the EU visa-free? Let them explain that as well. This is what we are being pushed towards: they are demanding that we destroy our own country, claiming that we must align our visa policy with that of the EU, meaning impose sanctions against Russia. This is exactly what they are directly demanding. We cannot destroy our country simply because Brussels wants to turn visa policy into a political tool. This is another violation — the use of visa policy as a political weapon. Every country has its own visa system. So what now — should we introduce visas for Polish officials? Or should everything escalate further?” Shalva Papuashvili stated.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Nikoloz Samkharadze believes that the abolition of the visa-free regime with the EU is not currently threatening Georgia, and that the June 11, 2026, meeting is “a routine meeting that the European Union is obliged to hold in accordance with its own rules.”

In his view, the need to suspend the visa-free regime has disappeared, and its cancellation for Georgian citizens would negatively affect the image of the European Union itself, as Georgians could ultimately lose trust in it.

It is not excluded that, after some time, the issue of abolishing visa-free travel for Georgia will be raised again in Brussels, especially if Tbilisi continues its current policy of defending national interests.

A “critical moment” in this context could be the introduction of visa-free travel for Armenia by the EU — in this way, Europe could once again clearly demonstrate who its preferred partner in the South Caucasus is.

However, it is precisely the pragmatic policy of the Georgian authorities, including in relations with Russia, that is already contributing to the country’s economic growth. As a result, it is becoming easier for citizens to find decent jobs, and travelling abroad in search of work is gradually losing its relevance.

For Armenian citizens, visa liberalisation with the EU, on the contrary, may acquire particular importance in the event of a further deterioration in relations with Russia and emerging difficulties in securing employment in the Russian labour market. In such a scenario, visa-free travel with the European Union and the possibility of going there for work could well become an accessible alternative.

By Vladimir Tskhvediani, Georgia, exclusively for Caliber.Az