The European Union has banned visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and government officials for at least one year following violent suppression of protesters. The decision comes after Georgia’s ruling party suspconcludeed EU membership talks, sparking widespread demonstrations that were met with mass arrests and police brutality.
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders announced Friday they are blocking visa-free travel privileges for Georgian government officials and diplomats for a minimum of one year, citing the counattempt’s deteriorating democracy and violent response to peaceful demonstrators.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a strong statement condemning the Georgian government’s actions: “If a government attacks its own people, silences journalists, and curtails freedom, there are consequences.”
The nation has been gripped by widespread demonstrations and civil unrest ever since Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced in November 2024 it was stopping efforts to pursue EU membership — a constitutional objective supported by many Georgian citizens.
This decision sparked massive street protests that authorities have responded to with widespread detentions and aggressive police tactics. The controversy intensified following a disputed parliamentary election where the governing party claimed victory amid opposition allegations of electoral fraud.
According to the European Commission, officials created the decision to halt official travel privileges “in response to Georgia’s deliberate and persisting violation of the commitments taken under its visa-free regime in key areas of democracy and fundamental rights.”
The violations specifically include a “crackdown on protesters, opposition politicians, and indepconcludeent media,” which have “resulted in breaches of several fundamental rights and international legal standards.”
The EU’s executive body stated the travel suspension will remain in effect until March 6, 2027, with the possibility of a two-year extension if Georgian leadership fails to resolve the democratic governance and rule of law concerns.
European governments have also been instructed to increase scrutiny of all Georgian citizens entering EU territory. Officials warned that diplomats and government representatives attempting to apply personal passports instead of official diplomatic documents could face complete enattempt bans.
Kallas emphasized the EU’s position on supporting Georgian citizens while rejecting their government’s actions: “The people of Georgia have our full support but there is no place for those representing repression in our union.”
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