A majority of European Union (EU) member states have supported the suspension of visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing foreign media outlets, that the proposal received significant backing within the union. According to the reports, 25 member states voted in favor of the restriction, while two countries—Hungary and Slovakia—voted against the move.
The decision is set to take effect in early March, after which Georgian diplomats will no longer be able to enter EU countries without a visa. This development follows recent reports that more than 10 EU member states had already individually moved to cancel visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports.
Visa-free travel between Georgia and the EU has been in place since 2017, allowing Georgian citizens with biometric passports to enter the Schengen Area for short stays. The current suspension specifically targeting diplomatic personnel reflects a shift in diplomatic relations between Brussels and Tbilisi. The EU has recently expressed concerns regarding Georgia's political trajectory and its alignment with European standards, leading to various measures aimed at reviewing bilateral cooperation and official privileges.
