Parliament Speaker: “Elections have never been precondition for Georgia’s visa liberalisation”

Georgia’s Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili says representatives of European institutions are "very satisfied” with Georgia’s move towards the European Union (EU) and stresses granting Georgians visa-free travel to EU states has never been dependent on the upcoming Parliamentary Elections.

Usupashvili made these statements after his meeting today with head of the European Parliament Legal Affairs Committee, Pavel Svoboda and Committee member Heidi Hautala. 

Usupashvili said the European guests were very interested how Georgia was fulfilling its Association Agreement (AA) and visa liberalisation obligations with the EU. 

They were extremely satisfied when we answered their questions and said the Committee and themselves personally would support visa free travel to Europe for Georgian citizens,” Usupashvili said. 

They also said recent statements that connected the issue of granting a visa-free regime to Georgia with this year’s Parliamentary Elections were personal approaches of some European politicians however this had nothing in common with the general attitudes of the European Parliament,” he stressed.

Georgia's Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili (R) and the head of the European Parliament Legal Affairs Committee, Pavel Svoboda. Photo by Parliament of Georgia. 

This comment was allegedly related to recent statements by honorary president of the European People’s Party (EPP) Joseph Daul, who said if the upcoming elections in Georgia were not fair and transparent it would hinder the final stage of Georgia’s visa liberalization with the EU.

Usupashvili stressed no domestic or foreign political force would be able to influence the collective European decision to grant Georgia visa-free travel to the EU.

Georgia took and achieved all its responsibilities and obligations stated in the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP). All the obligations have been completely fulfilled. No additional obligations regarding the elections or other issues are awaited,” Usupashvili said. 

Usupashvili said the exact date when Georgians would be granted the right to travel without a visa to the Schengen zone was still unknown.

Based on previous statements made by Georgian and foreign officials, the country could expect a positive decision by the European Council and the European Parliament in early summer. 

The European Commission, who said Georgia fulfilled all its VLAP obligations, has already appealed to the Council of Europe and European Parliament to discuss and make a final decision regarding Georgia’s visa liberalisation.