European Union foreign ministers have voted to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian officials with diplomatic passports following the ruling party's crackdown on pro-EU protests. This decision, reached on December 16, 2024, marks a significant response to Georgia's deteriorizing democratic climate due to the government's actions against opposition voices and media freedoms.
The EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Kaja Kallas, emphasized the troubling trends evident in Georgia, stating, "The situation is not going to a positive direction for the Georgian people". This statement was made during the press conference after the meeting of EU foreign ministers held in Brussels, where Kallas reinforced the EU's stance on reducing political contacts and suspending financial aid to the Georgian government.
According to Kallas, the European Commission is set to prepare and propose the suspension of the visa-free regime for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports. This measure is viewed as punitive against high-ranking politicians within Georgia, rather than affecting the ordinary citizens who have been subjected to the government's restrictive measures.
The crackdown by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which also faces allegations of election fraud following its claims of victory in October elections, sparked considerable international concern. Protests erupted after the government announced the suspension of EU accession talks until 2028, prompting rights groups to criticize the unprecedented suppression of public dissent.
During the Foreign Affairs Council, there was discussion among EU ministers about imposing sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for the violence against peaceful protesters. Despite overwhelming sentiment favoring these sanctions, Hungary and Slovakia exercised their veto power, blocking more severe actions against officials directly involved with the crackdown.
Rikard Jozwiak, Europe Editor at Radio Free Europe, reported on the decision-making process, stating, "Debate among EU foreign ministers on Georgia over. [...] there is a qualified majority for this." This qualified majority pertains to the diplomatic visa suspension, which requires the backing of at least 15 EU member states totaling 65% of the population to pass.
This diplomatic move is seen as only the first step, with EU nations hoping to strengthen their position against actions undermining democratic principles. Kallas remarked, "There was very intense discussion and there was also a lot of will to do more"; underscoring the urgency and seriousness with which the EU is taking the developments within Georgia.
Georgian officials have expressed their disappointment with the EU’s actions, fearing they will lead to increased isolation. Meanwhile, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó reiterated his country’s commitment to blocking any sanctions against Georgian officials, asserting Hungary’s longstanding alignment with the ruling Georgian party.
Kaja Kallas noted, "It's my first Hungarian veto, but I can guarantee it's not the last", recognizing the challenges of achieving consensus among the EU states on foreign policy issues—especially when some members are more lenient toward regimes with troubling democratic records.
This suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats signifies more than just bureaucratic penalties; it reflects the broader geopolitical struggle between the EU’s democratic values and rising authoritarianism. The EU aims to assure the Georgian populace of its continued support. Kallas stated, "We will continue to support the Georgian people, including by redirecting funding intended for the government to civil society and the Georgian media, because the future of Georgia is up to the Georgian people."
With heightened tensions within Georgia and the sustainment of public protests, the EU's decision sends a clear message: actions against democratic institutions and processes will not go ignored by the international community. The outcomes of these diplomatic maneuvers may very well reshape the future of EU-Georgia relations and have significant repercussions for the stability of the region.
