**Georgian Politician Speaks Out Against Visa Liberalization**
Mikheil Kavelashvili, a prominent Georgian politician, has expressed his strong disapproval of visa liberalization in an interview on Rustavi 2. According to him, the way the European Union is approaching this issue is not only insulting but also harmful to national interests.
Kavelashvili emphasized that Georgians are deeply attached to their homeland and would not trade it for anything, including a visa. He argued that treating Georgian citizens like they can be bought or intimidated with visas is a grave mistake. “They don’t know the character of a Georgian man,” he said. “This makes him even more angry when you insult him, when you treat his homeland as a counterweight.”
**National Interests vs. Visa Liberalization**
Kavelashvili’s comments highlight the tension between national interests and visa liberalization. While many Georgians welcome the opportunity to travel, work, or relax abroad without a visa, others see this as a threat to their country’s sovereignty.
As Kavelashvili pointed out, Georgians are willing to make sacrifices for their homeland. The idea that they can be swayed by a visa is a misunderstanding of Georgian culture and values. “Georgians give up everything,” he said. “There is no material wealth for them. We are all attached to this value.”
**Consequences of Insulting National Pride**
Kavelashvili’s remarks also touch on the consequences of insulting national pride. He warned that using the homeland as a bargaining chip or implying that Georgians can be bought off will only lead to resentment and anger.
“When they say, ‘Look, the next sanction awaits you,’ they don’t know the character of the Georgian people,” he said. “This makes them even more angry. It’s even more insulting when they are putting our homeland as a counterweight.”
**A Challenging Approach**
Kavelashvili’s comments serve as a reminder that visa liberalization is not just about facilitating travel but also about understanding the complexities of national interests and cultural values.
As the European Union continues to navigate its relationships with countries like Georgia, it would do well to take Kavelashvili’s warnings seriously. By doing so, they can avoid alienating citizens and fostering a more positive dialogue about visa liberalization and its implications for national sovereignty.
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