EU suspends visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and officials

The Council of the European Union decided on January 27 suspend parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement, which may lead to Georgian diplomats and officials having to apply for visas when travelling to the EU, according to a statement by the Council of the EU.

For travel to an EU member state which has reintroduced visa requirements, Georgian diplomats and officials will also no longer benefit from shorter application times, lower visa fees, and the possibility to submit fewer supporting documents.

The statement said that the decision is a reaction to the adoption last year by Georgia of a “Law on transparency of foreign influence” and a legislative package on “family values and protection of minors”.

The EU considers that these laws undermine the fundamental rights of the Georgian people, including the freedom of association and expression, the right to privacy, the right to participate in public affairs, and increase stigmatisation and discrimination.

The actions taken by Georgia breach the fundamental principles on which the facilitation agreement was concluded and go against the interests of the EU and its member states, the statement said.

The proposal is also a response to violent repression by the Georgian authorities against peaceful protesters, politicians and independent media, which started after the government announced on November 28 2024 to no longer pursue the opening of negotiations with the EU until 2028, it said.

The Sofia Globe staff

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