EU Ministers Set to Debate Suspension of Georgia’s Visa-Free Travel on December 16

The European Union Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, announced that EU foreign ministers will discuss Georgia’s status during the upcoming Council of Foreign Affairs meeting on December 16.

Among the key topics, the potential suspension of Georgia’s visa-free travel regime with the EU will be on the table.

Herczynski emphasized that discussions surrounding Georgia have been ongoing, signaling that all possibilities are under consideration.

"I think I will share more information with you after this meeting. What I can say is that all options are on the table. This is what we have been saying for many months, and these options also include the possibility of ending the visa-free travel with Georgia, but this will be discussed and decided by the 27 member states of the European Union," Herczynski stated.

Calls for Reevaluation of Visa-Free Travel

The debate over Georgia’s visa-free travel privileges gained traction earlier this month when several EU member states urged the Union to reexamine the agreement. In addition, these states called for sanctions against Georgian officials and political leaders, further requesting a review of the visa liberalization framework.

These appeals followed the October 26 parliamentary elections in Georgia, where the ruling Georgian Dream party retained power amid allegations of irregularities and violations raised by opposition groups.

The elections, widely regarded as a litmus test for Georgia’s democratic credentials and its aspirations for EU membership, drew criticism from both the EU and Georgian opposition parties. High Representative Josep Borrell echoed these concerns, suggesting that actions taken by the Georgian Dream party were moving the country further away from European integration.

In a prior statement, EU ministers expressed deep concerns about the situation in Georgia. They condemned violations of international norms during the elections and demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged misconduct.

Georgia Halts EU Membership Application Talks

Amid these tensions, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a suspension of the country’s EU membership talks until 2028, citing national pride and sovereignty.

"We are a proud and self-respecting nation with a long history. Therefore, it is categorically unacceptable for us to consider integration into the European Union as a favour that the European Union should grant us," Kobakhidze declared.

His remarks followed a strongly worded resolution from the European Parliament, which condemned Georgia’s October elections, asserting they were neither free nor fair.

What Lies Ahead

The December 16 meeting will serve as a crucial moment for EU ministers to deliberate on Georgia’s standing within the Union. With visa-free travel potentially at stake, the outcomes of these discussions may have far-reaching implications for Georgia’s relationship with the EU and its broader aspirations for European integration.

By fLEXI tEAM