The European Union Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, has said that the European Union foreign ministers will discuss the issue of Georgia at the upcoming meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs on December 16.

Herczynski said that the potential termination of the visa-free travel regime with Georgia will also be discussed, emphasising that all options are on the table, Schengen.News reports.

According to a report from Georgia Today, the Ambassador said that the issue of Georgia has been discussed several times recently.

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. 

Some EU Member States Have Already Called for Reexamination of Visa-Free Deal

Earlier this month, several EU member states called on the EU to reexamine the visa-free travel agreement with Georgia.

In addition, they urged the EU to impose sanctions against officials and political leaders in Georgia and review the visa liberalisation agreement.

The request came after the Georgian Dream party won the parliamentary elections in Georgia on October 26, amid opposition allegations of irregularities and violations encountered during the elections.

These elections were considered a crucial test for Georgia’s democracy and its journey towards its membership in the European Union.

The actions of the Georgian Dream were considered by the country’s opposition and the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, to take the country away from the EU.

Through a statement previously, the EU ministers also expressed their concerns regarding the situation in Georgia, condemning the violations of international norms for free elections and demanding impartial inquiry of complaints.

Suspension of EU Membership Application Process Until 2028

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, recently announced that he is suspending the EU membership talks with Georgia until the end of 2028.

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.

His comments came after the European Parliament condemned the parliamentary elections of Georgia held in October, stressing that they were neither free nor fair.