Norway to Suspend Visa-Free Travel for Georgian Diplomats & Officials, Aligning With EU Decision

Norway will join the European Union’s decision to suspend the visa-free travel agreement for Georgian diplomats and officials in response to “recent negative developments in Georgia in several ways”.

The new changes have been confirmed through a statement provided by Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Schengen.News reports. 

The Council of the EU, on January 27, agreed to suspend the EU-Georgia visa-free travel agreement for diplomatic officials from Georgia. In its statement, Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it would take “parallel steps” with the bloc.

The new measures introduced recently by authorities in Norway concerning Georgia include: 
• No new cooperation projects that involve Georgian authorities. 
• Financial support reduction to cooperation with Georgian authorities through multilateral channels. 
• Suspension of cooperation between both countries in the defence sector. 
• Reduced political-level contacts. 

EU Halts Visa-Free Travel for Georgian Diplomats & Officials 
The EU’s January 27 decision to suspend the visa-free travel agreement for Georgian diplomats and officials makes the latter subject to visa application procedures and stricter measures when planning to travel to the EU countries once the new rules become effective.

Besides, Georgian diplomats and officials will no longer be subject to facilitated rules. They will be required to undergo regular times. 

Diplomats and officials from Georgia will also be required to pay the full Schengen visa fee. In addition, they may also be required to submit additional documents. 

The reelection of the Dream Party as the ruling party in the parliamentary elections held in October 2024 raised concerns about stolen elections amid fears that the party is distancing Georgia from the bloc. 

The ongoing protests erupted on October 28, last year, after the Georgian PM’s announcement to suspend EU membership talks until 2028. 

The Council of the EU’s recent decision also came following the Georgia decision to adopt the law on transparency of foreign influence and legislative packages on family values as well as the protection of minors.

Source: https://schengen.news/norway-to-suspend-visa-free-travel-for-georgian-diplomats-officials-aligning-with-eu-decision/