EU's Kallas Says Visa-Free Travel Could Be Suspended for Some Groups in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, warned that new EU regulations could allow the suspension of visa-free travel for certain groups in Georgia, amid growing concern over the country's rule of law and human rights record.
Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Kallas said ministers had expressed deep concern about developments in Georgia. "Ministers were very clear on the rule of law and human rights situation that continues to deteriorate in Georgia," she said. "Personal attacks against European ambassadors are unacceptable and have no place in diplomacy."
She noted that the European Commission will present its report on the visa suspension mechanism later this year, with the new regulation entering into force in November. "This will give us the opportunity to cancel the visa-free regime for some groups," Kallas said.
The remarks come as fears grow that Georgia could lose its visa-free access to the EU, a benefit it has enjoyed since 2017. Earlier this month, the European Parliament approved legislation that makes it easier to suspend visa-free travel for third countries that fail to uphold EU standards, raising concerns that Georgia may be affected due to authoritarian tendencies and human rights violations under the Georgian Dream government.
Asked about the recent detention of two Formula TV journalists and other protesters, Kallas said the space for independent voices is shrinking. "The room for civil society and journalists is really shrinking," she said. "The measures the Georgian government is taking against free media, civil society, and protesters go against all the rules and principles that we value in the European Union." She added that these actions make EU accession "impossible to consider" because they go "totally in another direction from what Europe represents."
Georgia was a major topic during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. The country was notably absent from a special session between EU foreign ministers and their counterparts from the Eastern Neighbourhood and Central Asia. Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili had not been invited, and Georgia declined to send representatives at the ambassadorial level.
Before the meeting, several European officials criticized the political situation in Georgia. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos praised the Georgian public's pro-European aspirations, saying they "want a European future," but said the government "apparently does not listen to its own people and does not want to go the European way." She condemned what she described as "false narratives" spread by Georgian Dream authorities about European institutions and called on the government "to listen to its people, to be inclusive, to engage with civil society, and to follow their wish to become part of Europe."
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who has clashed with Tbilisi in her role as OSCE chair, said the situation is "very, very worrying." She highlighted repression against ordinary people and noted that "Georgia has more political prisoners per capita than Russia, which sends a very strong signal to all of us." Valtonen added that the country is moving away from the path the Georgian people have chosen and said Europe must respond strongly.
Germany's Minister of State for European Affairs, Gunther Krichbaum, described the developments as "really disappointing" and said the EU stands with Georgian citizens. He said the Georgian Dream government's behavior "cannot be accepted" and warned that "all the options are on the table."
Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel expressed regret that Georgia had once been "close to a European path" but is now "taking distance." He said questions surrounding elections must be addressed and added, "It's a pity if they move further away from Europe. They were close to Europe."
As the EU prepares to implement the new visa framework, Georgia faces increasing diplomatic pressure and the potential loss of visa-free travel for some of its citizens. Officials emphasized their support for the Georgian people while criticizing the government for its authoritarian measures.
