GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has dismissed growing concerns over the potential suspension of Georgia’s visa-free regime with the European Union, calling it a “non-existential issue” and describing public discussions around the topic—especially regarding access to medical treatment in Europe, as “shameful speculation.”
Speaking at a press briefing, Kobakhidze said that whether Georgian citizens must obtain a visa to enter the EU is merely a “technical issue.”
“It is a technical issue whether you have to stand in line for a visa or not,” the Prime Minister stated. “Visa-free travel is not an existential issue for a person.”
In response to a journalist’s question about the potential impact on citizens who travel to EU countries for medical treatment under the current visa-free system, Kobakhidze was dismissive:
“There are many countries. If you want to receive high-quality medical assistance in a specific direction, there are other countries. This is an empty, far-fetched story.”
His remarks come amid growing pressure on the Georgian government to implement the European Commission’s recommendations to maintain visa liberalization. Brussels has requested updated information on Georgia’s compliance by August 31, as outlined in the seventh Visa Suspension Mechanism (VSM) report issued in December 2024.
The EU has already suspended visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports as of January 2025, citing serious violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in the country. If the Georgian government fails to show concrete progress on the recommendations, the European Commission may trigger Article 8 of the VSM, potentially leading to a broader suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens.
The issue has sparked significant debate domestically, with opposition figures and civil society groups warning that losing visa liberalization would harm low- and middle-income Georgians who rely on short-term travel for work, education, or medical treatment.
