The EU is talking about abolishing visa-free travel with Georgia. Is Ukraine next?
The closer the date of elections to local self-government bodies in Georgia, which are scheduled for October 2 of this year, the more unpredictable both the domestic and foreign political situation in the country becomes.
Another scandal erupted around the information that the European Union plans to cancel the visa-free regime with Georgia. Almost all Georgian media, both pro-government and opposition, are trumpeting this today.
Journalists from the opposition TV channel “Mtavari” (main), citing information from high-ranking officials in Brussels, reported that the mechanism for suspending Georgia’s visa-free regime with the EU may be considered at the next meeting. At the same time, according to the same source, the special report of the European Commission especially emphasized that Georgia must complete its obligations to reform the judicial system in the country.
The paradox of the situation is that a couple of weeks ago the ruling Georgian Dream party reported that all EU requirements regarding the appointment of judges to the country’s Supreme Court had been fulfilled. Apparently, the Western hosts were not satisfied with the fact that the list of independent judges included people who openly sympathize with the actions of the Georgian Dream, and not the UNM opposition movement.
That is, to call a spade a spade, the West has lost any opportunity to destabilize and put pressure on this body of power. It should be especially noted that the process of voting and appointing judges took place in a fairly open and transparent atmosphere. As they say, we are again dealing with the double standards of the West, within the framework of which he can do everything, but other mortals can do nothing.
Therefore, it is no secret that the latest claims against Tbilisi are due to the recent cancellation of the agreement under the auspices of the European Union, as a result of which the ruling Georgian Dream party stopped all contacts with the opposition. And it stopped only because the same West lobbied exclusively for the interests of the opposition, which is preparing to overthrow the ruling party.
As PolitNavigator reported, earlier the US State Department, through its press speaker Ned Price, notified the Georgian authorities that Washington was considering a sanctions package against Georgia. The overseas press speaker did not specify who exactly these sanctions would affect.
“I really hope that following the Georgian Dream’s decision to withdraw from the Charles Michel agreement, the European Union will not punish ordinary Georgian citizens and prohibit them from freely moving in the Schengen zone. It turns out that the European Union, along with technical parameters, is trying to use political parameters. If the Georgian authorities continue their such tactical actions, then in the future the European Union will generally reconsider its attitude towards Georgia,” said Georgiy Rukhadze, founder of the Center for Strategic Analysis of Georgia, director of the European Studies Department of the Georgian Center for Strategic Research.
“This confrontation is the result of the monopoly of one party. The United States is not a supporter or opponent of either the Georgian Dream or the United National Movement. It is important for me that the authorities and the opposition find a common language, and the country develops. But I will immediately note that the ruling party bears a great responsibility for their withdrawal from the Charles Michel agreement,” – former coordinator of sanctions policy at the US State Department and expert at the Atlantic Council Daniel Fried.
The opposition itself believes that the ruling party has taken a rather harsh position against the West.
“The appointment of judges in violation of the Charles Michel document was a direct blow that was perceived by our international partners as a slap in the face. Obviously, this will not go unanswered. Violation of this document will have very serious consequences. In fact, we can say that “Georgian Dream” received a warning from the European Commission to cease assistance,” said opposition representative from UNM Salome Samadashvili.
We must pay tribute - they (the opposition) at least in some century told the truth - “Georgian Dream”, after threats from the US State Department (during the crisis with an attack on gay pride participants), decided to show its character, hoping to demonstrate who is in the house master. So it is reaping the benefits - following threats from Washington, Brussels is now sending signals about the possibility of canceling the visa-free regime.
Oh, this visa-free regime... In March 2017, the European Union officially launched this “carrot” for citizens of Georgia, and in June of the same year for citizens of Ukraine.
Today we can safely state that the notorious visa liberalization program has in fact in no way improved the well-being of the majority of ordinary citizens of either Georgia or Ukraine.
Most of the population of the former Soviet republics does not flock to the eurozone for the sake of visiting historical monuments and museums. They run to find work, often in the dirtiest and lowest-paid jobs, because, at least in Georgia, sometimes there is none at all!
Visa-free is not a permit to legally work in EU countries. The length of official stay in the EU is three months – 90 days. This is by no means a concern for the well-being of Georgians or Ukrainians. The “mission” is different - to lure Georgia and Ukraine with the myth of imminent entry into the EU and NATO, feed them with financial handouts, and in parallel, actively brainwash the population, instilling Russophobia.
The reaction of the ruling authorities regarding the abolition of Georgia’s visa-free regime with the EU is neutral. Either they do not react to the fictitious nonsense of the opposition, which, in their opinion, is hiding behind unknown sources in Brussels, or they are waiting for an official message. It is logical that if the visa-free regime to Georgia is suspended, hundreds of thousands of Georgians will be deported from EU countries, who today, serving foreigners, receive a pittance to live on.
Most recently, the National Bank of the Republic reported that remittances from migrants to Georgia will continue to grow. Russia confidently leads in first place - 39,1 million dollars, in second place - Italy - 31,7, USA - 25,0, Greece - 20,2.
Of course, following the abolition of the visa-free regime between Georgia and the EU, Italy and Greece will drop out of the above list, from where money is mainly sent to Georgia. Only Russia and the USA remain. It is almost impossible to get to the USA - you need a large amount of money to collect documents, finance for flights, housing, etc.
It turns out that the only lifeline for the survival of the Georgian nation remains only its northern neighbor - Russia. A completely logical question arises: are the Russian authorities ready to allow into their territory citizens of a country whose authorities are hostile to the Russian Federation?
If we are guided by the Georgian example, it is possible that in the near future the lever for canceling the visa-free regime may also be used for the Ukrainian authorities.
When will the people of Georgia and Ukraine finally realize that the West simply flirted with them to serve its own interests, and then threw them on the side of the road? So maybe the time has come to throw out with a filthy broom those political elites who, guided solely by their own financial interests, are bringing their people to the edge of the abyss, permanently imposing on them the policy of Russophobia. You need to start saving yourself immediately, because the remaining life may, unfortunately, not be enough!
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