EU Council suspends visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and officials

Today, the Council of European Union (EU) decided to suspend parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement, Report informs, citing the council.

This may lead to Georgian diplomats and officials having to apply for visa when traveling to the EU.

For travels to a 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 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 legislations 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 increases stigmatization 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 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 28 November 2024.

The visa facilitation agreement will be suspended for the following categories:

- Members of Georgia’s official delegations who participate in official meetings and other events held in the territory of an EU country by intergovernmental organizations;

- Members of Georgia’s national and regional Governments and Parliaments, Georgia’s Constitutional Court and Supreme Court;

- Holders of diplomatic passports.

Georgian nationals who are holders of ordinary passports will continue to benefit from the visa exemption when traveling to the EU for short stays.