The European Commission has launched the process to suspend visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports, European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said at a briefing.

According to the European Commission, the actions of the Georgian authorities undermine the principles on which visa liberalisation is based and do not comply with EU norms and values.

The spokesperson also reiterated the two-stage approach, noting that under the visa suspension mechanism a two-step process applies: the first stage concerns holders of diplomatic passports, while there is also the possibility that, at a certain point, if backsliding continues, the measure could be extended to the entire population.

“I can speak about our measures within the framework of the visa suspension mechanism. The European Commission has initiated the suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens holding diplomatic, service, or official passports under the new visa suspension mechanism.

The purpose of visa liberalisation is to strengthen people-to-people contacts and promote shared values, including respect for human rights and democratic principles.

The European Commission considers that the actions of the Georgian authorities undermine these principles on which visa liberalisation is based; do not comply with EU norms and values; and hinder the stable development of economic, humanitarian, cultural, scientific, and other ties between the European Union and Georgia. As a first step, the European Commission has transmitted its assessment to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Once adopted, this will ensure that the suspension of visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports is applied uniformly across all member states.

Within the framework of the visa suspension mechanism - taking into account that it was revised and entered into force at the end of last year - a two-stage approach is possible. One approach, the first stage, applies to holders of diplomatic passports. There is a possibility that, at a certain point, if backsliding continues, it could be extended to the entire population, but this is not automatic,” Lammert said.