The European Council has decided to suspend visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports, following discussions at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said.
The decision comes following the Georgian Government’s decision last month to postpone the EU accession talks until 2028 and the domestic law enforcement’s response to ongoing protests in the country against the move.
“The situation is not going to positive direction for the Georgian people. Democracies do not oppress opposition voices or curtail the freedom of media. In response, we have downgraded political contacts, and cut funding for the Georgian Government,” Kallas said.
“Going forward, we will continue to stand with the Georgian people and, including by re-directing funding from the authorities towards the civil society and Georgian people, independent media. Because the future of Georgia as it is in Syria for Syrians, is for the people of Georgia to decide what the future can be”, she added.
A qualified majority of EU member states supported initiating the suspension process, with the decision requiring backing from at least 55 percent of member states, representing 65 percent of the EU’s population.
