The European Union Foreign Ministers have agreed to halt the visa-free regime for Georgia’s diplomatic passport holders during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on December 16.

In addition, the European Commission will table a proposal in this regard this year, Schengen.News reports.

Ahead of the JHC meeting on December 16, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council, Kaja Kallas, said that the situation in Georgia is not going in the right direction for Georgia’s citizens.

The situation is not going in a positive direction for the Georgian people. Democracies do not oppress opposition voices or curtail the freedom of media.

The Council emphasised that the EU will continue to stand with the people of Georgia, including by redirecting funds from the authorities towards civil society as well as independent media.

In the meeting of December 16, the Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the recent developments in Georgia and their impact on the people of Georgia as well as the country’s EU path.

Visa-Free Travel for Diplomatic Passport Holders “Anti-Georgian Step”

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, considered the EU Foreign Affairs Council decision on visa-free travel suspension for diplomatic passport holders an “unequivocally anti-Georgian step”.

The only recommendation that the Council issued is related to the introduction of a visa requirement for holders of diplomatic passports. Although this recommendation has essentially a symbolic meaning, it should be assessed as an unequivocally anti-Georgian step that undermines the credibility of European bodies in the eyes of the Georgian public.

Today marks the 19th day of mass pro-EU protests in Georgia, which began following the Georgian PM’s announcement of the suspension of membership talks with the EU until 2028.

The reelection of the Georgian Dream party as the ruling party in Georgia in October 2024 also sparked controversies in Georgia and among the EU authorities amid accusations that these elections were not fair and must be re-run.

The European Parliament said that the voting process in Georgia had been neither free nor fair. However, the Georgian Dream Party, the ruling party in Georgia since 2012, has denied charges of election manipulation.

The newly elected president of Georgia, the former professional soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili, supported the PM Kobakhidze, adding that Georgia is simply demanding mutual respect from the EU.

President Kavelashvili, former MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, said that Georgia wants to join the EU, but such a goal must be achieved while preserving national values.

Hungary & Slovakia Vetoed Proposal to Impose EU Sanctions on Georgian Officials

Among the measures proposed by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council, Kaja Kallas, were also sanctions on officials of Georgia involved in the repression of pro-EU protests.

However, Hungary and Slovakia vetoed the proposal to impose EU sanctions on Georgian officials in response to the ongoing crackdown on demonstrators, several diplomats told Euronews.

Lithuania & Estonia Expanded List of Georgian Officials Subject to Sanctions

Recently, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, through a post on his X account, announced that Lithuania and Estonia imposed sanctions on an additional 17 politicians from Georgia, including Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze.

In coordination with Estonia, we have expanded the list of sanctioned Georgian politicians by adding 17 more individuals, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. We will not tolerate the violence and oppression against peaceful protesters, journalists and the opposition.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister called for joint actions at the European Union level.