Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has called the European Union Foreign Affairs Council’s recommendation to suspend visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders an anti-Georgian move.

Speaking at a press conference, Kobakhidze stated that while the recommendation is mostly symbolic, it undermines the credibility of European structures in the eyes of Georgian society.

“I would like to respond to the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s decision from yesterday. As you know, the only recommendation issued by the Council pertains to initiating procedures for imposing a visa regime on holders of diplomatic passports.

Although this recommendation is largely symbolic, it must be assessed as an unambiguously anti-Georgian step that erodes the trust of Georgian society in European structures. Such decisions result in the continuous devaluation of these institutions in the perception of our people, which is a serious problem.

You are aware that a recent Eurobarometer survey conducted by the EU indicated that trust in European structures in Georgia has decreased by 6% over the past six months. Decisions like these contribute to the declining trust of Georgian society in European institutions,” Kobakhidze noted.