EU Ministers to Discuss Suspension of Visa-Free Travel Agreement With Georgia on December 16

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.

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.

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

Source: https://schengen.news/eu-ministers-to-discuss-suspension-of-visa-free-travel-agreement-with-georgia-on-december-16/