EU to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats

Permanent representatives of the 27 European Union member states convened on January 24 and approved a decision to suspend the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomats, a source within the delegation to the EU Council said.

The decision comes following a proposal from the European Commission on December 20, which highlighted concerns regarding the behaviour of Georgian officials in the diplomatic sphere, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

The suspension is set to affect those travelling on diplomatic passports.

“This morning, the permanent representatives reached a consensus on the suspension of the visa-free regime for diplomatic passports of Georgia,” the diplomat stated.

The decision now awaits formal approval from the EU Council, which is expected to take place during a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 member states on January 27.

Protests erupted in Georgia following the October election, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party secured victory amid allegations of fraud. The party's announcement to postpone plans for advancing EU accession talks further fuelled public unrest.

Georgia was granted candidate status by the EU in December 2023; however, the bloc subsequently paused its bid and reduced financial support after the government enacted a controversial “foreign influence” law.