Levan Makhashvili, Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European Integration Committee, confirmed that the latest letter from the European Commission includes recommendations to repeal several controversial laws, including the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence and the legislative package on Family Values and the Protection of Minors.
According to Makhashvili, the letter reiterates long-standing EU concerns and does not introduce new migration, asylum, or detention conditions. However, it emphasizes the need for Georgia to align with human rights and democratic standards, including protections for LGBTQ+ rights.
“We have worked with the European Commission for years to ensure visa-free travel is not jeopardized,” Makhashvili said, noting that the letter largely reflects the 7th report on visa liberalization, published in December 2023. He claimed 95% of the content remains unchanged.
Responding to remarks by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who said Georgia could face visa suspension if conditions aren’t met, Makhashvili stated that “Georgia is not at risk of losing visa-free travel.”
He added that the government is ready to cooperate on external border control, asylum policy, and anti-corruption efforts, but questioned certain recommendations he called “ideologically charged.”
“The EU calls for repealing laws that reflect the conservative values on which our government was elected. We will review the recommendations, but some are red lines,” Makhashvili concluded.
Parliament is currently in recess and will resume work in September, making immediate legislative changes unlikely.
