Brussels — The European Union on Friday suspended visa-free travel in Europe for Georgian diplomats and officials for at least a year over a backlash against democracy and a crackdown on anti-government protesters.
“If a government attacks its own people, silences journalists and curtails freedom, there are consequences,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement.
Protests and political unrest have rocked Georgia since the ruling Georgian Dream party stalled talks to join the EU in November 2024, even though it is a goal many Georgians enshrine in the country’s constitution.
The move sparked waves of protests that were met with mass arrests and police violence. It came after the long-time ruling party declared victory in parliamentary elections, saying opposition parties had mobilized.
The European Commission said it suspended official travel “in response to Georgia’s willful and persistent breach of commitments taken under its visa-free regime in key areas of democracy and fundamental rights”.
Those violations included “repression of protesters, opposition politicians and independent media,” which “resulted in numerous violations of fundamental rights and international legal norms.”
The EU’s executive branch said visa-free travel would be suspended until March 6, 2027, but could be extended for another two years if Georgian authorities fail to resolve administrative and legal issues.
The Commission advised European governments to closely check all Georgian nationals entering Europe. It warned that officials and diplomats who tried to cross personal passports rather than official documents would face an entry ban.
“The people of Georgia have our full support but there is no place in our coalition for those who represent repression,” Kallas said.
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