Opposition Details Meeting With U.S. Official Andreoli
By Messenger Staff
Friday, March 27, 2026
Georgian opposition leaders said they raised concerns about visa restrictions, political prisoners, and democratic backsliding during a meeting with Peter Andreoli, a representative of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
Freedom Square Levan Tsutskiridze said he focused on visa policies affecting Georgian citizens and the issue of politically motivated prosecutions.
"My first request to the official was that, given the historical relationship between the U.S. and Georgia, and between our peoples, it might be possible to remove or ease this additional burden related to visas for Georgian citizens. This is very important for every Georgian family," he said.
"We are not a country where, simply because we disagree with someone's opinion, people should be imprisoned."
Lelo's Grigol Gegelia described the meeting as "very productive," saying opposition representatives reviewed "the serious challenges currently facing our democracy," including "the persecution of political opposition, the suppression of political pluralism, and attempts to dissolve political parties."
He also pointed to discussions on regional issues and infrastructure, adding: "The U.S. is interested in the Middle Corridor and in ensuring that the deep-sea port of Anaklia succeeds, serving Georgia's national interests as well as those of the political West."
UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava said Andreoli's visits to Poti Port and the planned Anaklia deep-sea port highlight Washington's focus on the project.
"Peter Andreoli' visit to Poti Port and then to Anaklia naturally signals that [the deep-sea port of Anaklia] is a priority for Washington," she said, adding: "In reality, it does not serve any reset or restoration of strategic partnership and cannot serve that purpose."
Coalition for Change leader Nika Gvaramia said the opposition stressed the need for political change and continued pressure on the authorities.
"We told them the main thing-we do not trade in hostages, we will not step back; there will be large protests and there will be changes," he said.
Gvaramia added that the issue of political prisoners was raised, including that of Droa leader Elene Khoshtaria who was recently sentenced to 18 months in prison for defacing a poster of Kakha Kaladze.
