The European Commission has suspended visa free travel to the European Union for certain Georgian officials, escalating tensions between Brussels and Georgia over concerns about governance and compliance with EU commitments.
The measure applies specifically to holders of diplomatic, service, and official Georgian passports, meaning these officials will now need to obtain visas before traveling to the EU’s Schengen Area. The European Commission said the decision was taken in response to what it described as a “deliberate and persistent violation” of obligations linked to Georgia’s visa liberalisation agreement with the bloc.
The suspension does not affect ordinary Georgian citizens who hold biometric passports. Since 2017, Georgian citizens have been able to travel visa free to most EU countries for short stays under the EU’s visa liberalisation programme.
EU officials say the decision is a targeted political measure aimed at government figures, rather than a broad punishment of the Georgian population. The move follows increasing EU criticism of Georgia’s political direction, including concerns over democratic standards, rule of law, media freedom, and alignment with EU foreign policy.
Relations between Brussels and Tbilisi have become increasingly strained in recent years. Despite Georgia receiving EU candidate status in 2023, progress toward membership has faced obstacles amid allegations of democratic backsliding and tensions between the government and pro EU opposition groups.
The visa suspension is the first time the EU has used its strengthened visa suspension mechanism in this way. Analysts say it serves as a warning that further measures could follow if political tensions persist.
While the step is limited to government officials for now, EU leaders have indicated that broader restrictions could be considered in the future if concerns about governance and reform commitments remain unresolved.
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