Berlin, 15 June, 2016: Angela Merkel and Giorgi Kvirikashvili brief the media after talks. (c) Markus Schreiber / AP / Press Association Images. All rights reserved.It seems Georgians started counting their chickens before they’d hatched — the process of lifting visa requirements for Georgian citizens to travel to Schengen member states, already celebrated back in December, appears to be have been put on hold by the European Union. Germany, backed by France and Belgium, has resisted approving the decision, which should ultimately be voted on by the European Parliament.
The timing seems to be more than unfortunate for Georgia, its case being considered alongside with Kosovo, Turkey and Ukraine. The South Caucasian republic has met all the requirements set by the EU for visa liberalisation — the final decision should be a technicality. It is not necessarily the case for Kosovo, Turkey and Ukraine, but EU politicians prefer to lump them together.
Some experts have voiced (somewhat discriminatory) concerns of politicians that the influence of Georgian organised crime might rise as a result of visa-free travel. Or perhaps rewarding Georgia now could get in the way of patching up things with Russia. At a recent meeting with the Georgian prime minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Angela Merkel reiterated her support for visa liberalisation, but at the same time indicated that the EU should first introduce regulations to quickly suspend visa-free travel if needed — as in the case with Turkey. In any case, this is how a technicality has become a political issue.
