Visa-free travel as a weapon EU punishes Georgia for defiance

Relations between Georgia and the European Union continue to deteriorate. A joint statement issued on 11 July 2025, signed by 17 foreign ministers of European countries and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, essentially reiterated an ultimatum demanding that Tbilisi submit to the European diktat. The Georgian authorities once again rejected these demands. As a result, the EU may soon resort to punitive measures—perhaps the most tangible of which for Georgian citizens would be the suspension of the visa-free regime.

"It is not too late to reverse course.  We call on the Georgian authorities to immediately release unjustly detained politicians, journalists and activists, to reverse repressive legislation and to engage in a national dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to find a way out of the current situation," the EU officials said in the statement.

These demands were swiftly rejected, and the political council of the ruling Georgian Dream party issued a response statement.

"The organised attack against the Georgian people, which intensified after October 26, has one reason — the people did not allow the Deep State's agents, the collective 'United National Movement' supported by the EU ambassador and a number of Western officials, to return to power. The legitimacy of the parliamentary elections is not in question — this has been confirmed by both the OSCE/ODIHR and the OSCE Secretary General. European officials are not dissatisfied with the elections themselves, but with their outcome," the statement reads.

It further emphasises that "Europe is currently undergoing democratic regression and a profound crisis of values."

"The majority of European countries are under the influence of the Deep State. Uncontrolled migration, pseudo-liberal propaganda, and the decline of institutions are rapidly leading to a loss of Europe's identity. The cancellation of elections, persecution of the opposition, and restrictions on media freedom have become the norm. Against this backdrop, absurd resolutions by the European Parliament, disinformation letters, and sanctions come as no surprise. We are not attacking anyone, but we will defend the sovereignty, identity, and interests of the Georgian people. There will be no compromises in this struggle.

At the same time, we are ready to cooperate with any state that seeks honest and fair engagement. It is important to understand: just as Georgia needs Europe, Europe needs Georgia," the political council concludes.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the statement by the foreign ministers and Kaja Kallas “filled with disinformation” and stressed that informal governance dominates European institutions, where “even outright lies can end up in official documents.”

With that, official Tbilisi firmly rejected yet another European ultimatum. In response, the EU is now considering punitive measures against Georgia, including the suspension of its visa-free regime. This was announced by Kaja Kallas following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 15 July 2025.

“On Georgia, the assault on democracy by Georgian Dream is growing more severe. Today, Ministers took stock of EU support to civil society and discussed different options on what more we can do. These include suspending the visa free regime, the Association Agreement and [the adoption of] sanctions. Georgia's democratic back backsliding will come at cost,” Kallas stated.

“A letter sent to Georgia also regarding the visa fee free regime, so they have certain conditions that they had to comply with. And if these conditions are not met within that deadline, then we will have to suspend the visa fee free regime,” she added.

For Georgia’s pro-Western opposition, the threat of visa-free suspension is a reason to blame the ruling Georgian Dream party and attempt once again to mobilise street protests. Former President Salome Zourabichvili went even further, calling on the EU to immediately “crack down” on Georgia.

“Should the European Union fail to respond with clarity, unity, and tangible consequences, it not only risks losing Georgia as a strategic partner but also enables a dangerous precedent where democratic backsliding and Russian interference go unchecked in Europe’s neighbourhood,” she stated in her letter

The Georgian people must be unequivocally supported. Any weak response will amount to betrayal. The era of strategic patience is over — now is the time for moral resolve, she added.

Zourabichvili’s letter reads like a call for foreign interference and punishment of her own country. It is increasingly apparent that her true homeland remains France, and her actions align with the interests of French neo-colonial policy. Among the “coordinated and resolute actions” advocated by the EU is the suspension of visa-free travel.

The strategy of the pro-Western opposition is clear: the cancellation of the visa-free regime would affect hundreds of thousands of Georgian citizens working in the EU. Their frustration is expected to be channelled against the Georgian Dream.

However, it is worth recalling why the EU originally introduced visa-free travel for Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine — while a long-time candidate country like Türkiye still does not enjoy such a privilege. In reality, it was visa liberalisation for “potential refugees.” The case of Ukraine has shown that visa-free travel is not beneficial for everyone — men of conscription age cannot use it due to exit restrictions.

A similar scenario was being prepared for Georgia, which was being pushed toward war with Russia. A swift military defeat and a wave of refugees heading to Europe were expected. Yet the country remained stable and safe, its economy continued to grow, and it became a destination for refugees from both Ukraine and Russia. As a result, visa-free travel has lost its strategic relevance, since the “second front” plan has failed.

Moreover, Georgia’s own economic situation has improved — GDP is rising and unemployment is falling. In contrast, the EU is facing stagnation and worsening labour conditions. Many Georgian migrants, unable to find decent jobs in Europe, are returning home. The cancellation of visa-free travel would only accelerate this trend.

Thus, the threat of visa-free suspension is not a reason to surrender. On the contrary, it could help address demographic challenges by halting youth outmigration and strengthening internal cohesion.

By Vladimir Tskhvediani, Georgia, exclusively for Caliber.Az