Renée Van Lanschot: "A simple travel ban for holders of diplomatic passports is a very small, symbolic step, and it is not enough. It is a very tiny step, and we need big steps.

Sanctions are the first step, but they should not be the last.

It is important to draw attention to Georgia, but simply drawing attention is not enough. If you draw attention and know the developments, you then need to act. I think Marta Kos, who recently became the European Commissioner, pays attention but is not taking sufficient action. That is why I said, 'Please elevate Georgia higher on your priority list' so that you not only draw attention but also begin taking action.

Regarding diplomatic passports and banning easy travel for their holders, of course, symbols matter, but this symbol is not strong enough because, as you noted, they can still travel with personal passports. That is why, last week in the European Parliament, I told the Commission that this very small symbolic step is not enough. It is almost nothing, but it is not enough. It is a very tiny step, and we need big steps because the Georgian people have the right to decide their future, and we must support their call for new elections.

I think the United States has already taken some steps in this direction. The first thing we should do is follow that path because it will directly impact the people who are creating this autocracy and turning it into an oppressive regime. This will be the first step. There are other ways as well, including supporting Salome Zurabishvili. For example, re-inviting her to the European Parliament, or convincing [local politicians] that no other European ambassador or head of state should travel to Georgia to meet with 'Georgian Dream.' But if they go to Georgia, they should meet with opposition leaders. All of this can happen now. Will it be enough? I am not so sure. This week, we will also hold talks in the European Parliament in support of a free and democratic European Georgia, together with Georgia's friends, to see what other steps we can take and what other sanctions we can impose. Sanctions are the first step, but they must not be the last. I am mainly referring to personal financial sanctions. I am not in favor of fully banning visa-free travel, as it would also affect people who are not responsible for the situation, but a ban on visa-free travel should be implemented only for 'Georgian Dream' leaders, not just for diplomatic passports, but also for personal ones. A list should be created of all individuals involved in this process, and we need to ensure that they can no longer travel easily to the European Union. This will be a combination of financial and targeted restrictions on free travel," said Renée Van Lanschot.