European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to move towards suspending visa-free travel for Georgian officials holding diplomatic passports. This decision follows Georgia’s recent crackdown on pro-EU protests, which has sparked concerns within the EU over the political direction of the country.
EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stated that the situation in Georgia is “not going in a positive direction for the Georgian people,” following the government’s violent response to protests demanding closer ties with the European Union. The ministers discussed the need to halt the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomats, and Kallas confirmed that a proposal would be made by the European Commission for further consideration. The decision is expected to be adopted through a majority vote by EU governments.
The move to suspend the visa-free privilege is primarily aimed at Georgian officials, not ordinary citizens, as diplomats explained. The suspension is seen as a symbolic step to address the crackdown without directly punishing the Georgian populace.
Ongoing Tensions within the EU
The EU ministers also discussed the potential imposition of sanctions against Georgian officials responsible for the violence against peaceful protesters. However, they could not reach a consensus on the matter, as such sanctions require unanimous approval among the 27 EU member states. Hungary and Slovakia notably vetoed the proposal for sanctions, with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto emphasizing his country’s opposition to the move.
Kallas noted that the veto represents her first experience with Hungary blocking EU foreign policy measures, joking that it “won’t be the last” but also reaffirmed her commitment to working with Hungary despite the disagreement.
Context and Domestic Unrest in Georgia
The decision comes amid rising political tensions in Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party declared victory in the October 2024 elections, which the opposition claims were marred by fraud. In November, the government announced it would suspend EU accession talks until 2028, a move that sparked widespread protests. Human rights organizations have decried the subsequent crackdown, describing it as one of the most severe in Georgia’s recent history.
While the visa suspension is a significant step, EU ministers acknowledged that further actions might be needed depending on developments in Georgia. The ongoing unrest in Georgia has raised concerns about the country’s democratic trajectory and its future relations with the European Union.
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