Georgia’s ruling party official: visa liberalisation the last bullet in Brussels’ pressure mechanism

Levan Machavariani, the First Deputy Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Tuesday said the issue of visa liberalisation remained the “last bullet” in what he described as Brussels’ mechanism of pressure against Georgia, expressing doubt that European officials would choose to use it.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Machavariani noted that the Georgian Dream Government was pursuing policies based on the country’s national interests and argued that it would also be in the interest of European bureaucrats to reconsider their approach toward Georgia.

“Visa liberalisation is the last bullet in the chamber of their pressure mechanism. I really do not think they are so reckless as to fire that bullet. After that, there would be nothing left to use for pressure”, he said.

“We are following our own agenda. We are trying to restart relations with the United States from a clean slate. We are deepening relations with China and the countries of Central Asia because this is highly beneficial for Georgia’s economic development”, Machavariani continued.

He highlighted Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor transport route, noting that the country was investing in infrastructure projects, including airport expansion, the construction of new airports, railway modernisation, port development and the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project.

“Georgia holds the most strategic position in the Middle Corridor, and we must use this opportunity as effectively as possible. We are pursuing our own agenda. Further development of relations will depend on when the Euro-bureaucracy comes to terms with the fact that, despite all its efforts, it has failed to replace the Georgian Dream”, the official concluded.