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The European Commission had proposed to suspend the visa-free travel regime for Georgian diplomats and officials in response to the violent crackdown on protesters, who took to the streets for weeks to denounce the ruling party’s gradual pivot away from Europe and towards Russia.
Georgia has reacted angrily to the suspension of a mutual visa-free travel agreement by the European Union. The development may lead to Georgian diplomats and officials having to apply for visas when travelling to an EU member state. Speaking to Euronews a day after the announcement of the suspension, Georgian foreign minister Maka Botochorishvili called the decision “politically wrong.” “Legally, it is absolutely groundless and nonsense. There is no proof or explanation how Georgian diplomats are creating threats or threatening public order in the European Union or EU member states,” she said. “I just think that it is absolutely against European values or something that we refer to very often, and that is very unfortunate.” ‘Intention to be part of the EU’ still thereThe decision by the European Council came in response to controversial laws that the Georgian parliament passed last year that undermine basic democratic rights, according to Brussels. It was described as a reaction to the adoption of controversial Georgian laws on foreign influence and family values. Polish Minister of the Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak said “fundamental rights and democratic values are core principle of EU integration,” adding that officials from a country “which trample down these values should not benefit from easier access to the EU.” Botchorishvili rejected this notion – stressing Georgia’s willingness to pursue its path to EU membership. “Georgia has been a dedicated partner for the European Union and that is not just empty words,” she said, adding that her country “is there with this intention to be part of the European Union. And we are very serious about that.” Following a decision of the Georgian government in November 2024, the opening of negotiations with the EU about membership is suspended until 2028.
