Brussels moves to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats

The European Commission has proposed to suspend the visa-free travel regime for Georgian diplomats and officials in response to the violent crackdown on protesters, who have been taking to the streets for weeks to denounce the ruling party’s gradual pivot away from Europe and towards Russia.

The demonstrations, now in their 22nd day, began in late November after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze unexpectedly announced he would not pursue EU membership talks until 2028, despite an obligation in the Constitution that compels state bodies to “take all measures within the scope of their competences” to ensure Georgia’s integration.

The violent suppression of pro-EU protesters has led to chaotic clashes on the streets, arrests of opposition figures, multiple reports of injured people and hundreds of arrests, coupled with accusations of beatings, torture and robbery at the hands of the police.

The outrage has been compounded by the raft of irregularities that marred the parliamentary election of October, which saw Kobakhidze’s party secure a majority.

Earlier this week, High Representative Kaja Kallas tabled the first-ever proposal to sanction Georgian officials responsible for the crackdown. But her plan was vetoed by Hungary and Slovakia, who denounced it as interference in domestic affairs. (Days later, the UK and the US introduced sanctions on a handful of Georgian officials.)

Kallas, however, gained sufficient support to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats, which is considered far less potent than sanctions.

“It’s my first Hungarian veto but I can guarantee it’s not the last,” Kallas said.

“With sanctions, we need 27 on board. So therefore we are, unfortunately, not there. But I think the (suspension) of the visa-free regime is the first step and is also symbolic.”

The Commission’s proposal, published on Friday, only requires a qualified majority of member states to be approved, depriving Hungary and Slovakia of veto power.

The scope of the suspension is limited to holders of diplomatic and service passports, meaning only those working for state institutions will need to obtain a visa. Member states had previously signaled their strong reluctance to apply the restriction to the general population, fearing negative effects for those protesting on the streets.

“Visa facilitations such as shorter application times, lower visa fees, and the requirement to submit fewer supporting documents, would also no longer apply to Georgian holders of diplomatic and official passports,” the Commission said in a press release.

Implementing the measure will be up to national authorities in the spirit of “sincere cooperation,” the executive noted, in what reads like a warning to Hungary and Slovakia.

Georgians have enjoyed visa-free travel to the bloc since 2017 as part of a strategic approach to deepen ties with the Eastern neighbourhood, which also applied to Moldova and Ukraine. As a result, Georgian nationals can enter the Schengen Area and stay for 90 days without the hassle of applying for a visa.

But in recent months, the actions of the ruling party, Georgian Dream, have cast doubt over the country’s compliance with the basic requirements to enjoy such a benefit.

In its latest report, the Commission concluded Georgia no longer met all the criteria necessary for visa-free travel and called, among other things, for the repeal of two controversial laws targeting NGOs and LGBTQ+ rights that have raised comparisons with the Kremlin and led to a de-facto halt in accession talks.