While discussions are ongoing among EU member states regarding potential responses to recent developments in Georgia, the majority are currently opposed to suspending the visa-free regime, according to EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski.
Ambassador Herczynski made the comments in response to a statement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who said he was ready to “limit or suspend visa-free travel, including with Georgia,” to address concerns related to illegal migration.
“Georgia has enjoyed a privileged relationship with the EU for several years now. We’ve shared with Georgians the opportunity for visa-free travel to Europe and a free trade zone,” said Herczynski. “Three years ago, Georgia applied for EU candidate status, and we officially granted it. However, over the past year, relations between the EU and Georgia have not been progressing well.”
According to Herczynski, EU member states have been deliberating for months on how to respond to actions, decisions, and legislation passed by the Georgian government that appear to be distancing the country from the EU.
“There is an ongoing question of whether Georgia still deserves the privileged relationship it currently enjoys with the EU. One of the ideas being discussed is the suspension of visa-free travel. However, I would say that the majority of member states are against it at this stage,” he said.
He emphasized that this resistance stems from a desire not to penalize Georgian citizens for decisions made by their political leadership.
“We do not want people to pay the price for the decisions of the authorities. That is why we decided to suspend visa-free travel only for holders of diplomatic and service passports, not for ordinary Georgian citizens,” Herczynski clarified.
He reiterated that, as of now, Georgian citizens can continue to enjoy visa-free travel to the EU, though discussions among member states are ongoing.
