Switzerland halts visa-free entry for Georgian diplomats and officials

Switzerland, following the European Union, is suspending visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports.

Starting April 3, diplomats and government officials will be required to obtain a visa to enter Switzerland, Caliber.Az reports, citing Swiss media.

The measure is linked to updates in Schengen regulations and will remain in effect for 12 months.

The restriction does not apply to other Georgian citizens.

The European Union (EU) has recently reinforced its visa suspension mechanism for third countries, enabling it to temporarily impose visa requirements on new grounds. These include a deterioration of external relations with a third country due to a violation of human and fundamental rights.

The EU has decided to invoke these new provisions with regard to Georgia.

Citing legislative changes adopted by Georgia last year, the EU has suspended visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and public officials for a period of 12 months.

The EU decision constitutes a further development of the Schengen acquis, which Switzerland is obliged to adopt. The move involves amending the Ordinance on Entry and the Granting of Visas. Furthermore, several articles in the agreement between Switzerland and Georgia aimed at facilitating the issuance of visas are being suspended.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov