Michael Roth, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the German Bundestag, stated that the governments of many European Union countries are already discussing the issue of suspending visa liberalization for Georgia.
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"Remember, when we had the last interview with you, I was categorically against suspending the visa-free travel, but I have changed my position and it is difficult for me. I know that my friends have to pay a very high price for this, but this is the most important tool that we have from our side to send a clear message to Tbilisi - to stop this anti-democratic policy," said Roth in an interview with "Palitranews."
According to Michael Roth, the "Georgian Dream" government should bear the consequences. At the same time, Roth expresses hope that such a situation can be avoided.
"I know that many governments in the EU, but not all, are already considering suspending visa-free travel. I did not expect these events, but if society decides (and it is legitimate), we prefer Russian life, we must respect it, but you can not live in two worlds. This is the Serbian way. Serbian leader Mr. Vučit tells his people, we can have both. We have very close historical economic ties with Russia, but on the other hand we get money from Brussels and German investments. By no means. If the ruling party asks me, I will say, friends, the Serbian model is not encouraging," said Roth.
The German parliamentarian also discussed Georgia’s potential EU membership, stating that the government’s anti-democratic policies are incompatible with EU membership.
"There is no chance to start accession negotiations. Again, these anti-democratic policies are incompatible with membership. That's why we're here to tell people, if you want to join the EU, change the country, get it back on track. Without that, we call for individual [EU] sanctions, an end to the visa-free regime, and an end to accession negotiations.
If you think that this madman, Michael Roth, is out of touch with European reality, we promise the ruling party that this government will never convince our member states to start accession negotiations. It won't work," Roth said.
On November 11, a delegation of parliamentarians from eight EU countries visited Tbilisi. During the day, they met with President Salome Zurabishvili, opposition representatives, and civil society, after which they joined the protest on Rustaveli Avenue and addressed the demonstrators. The European MPs also sought to meet with the representatives of Georgian Dream in the Parliament, but their request was denied by the Chairman of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili.
