The EU has officially suspended the visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and officials.

The EU Council decided on January 27 to suspend certain parts of the visa facilitation agreement between Georgia and the EU.

This is mentioned on the EU Council's website.

"Fundamental rights and democratic values are key principles for integration into the EU. Officials representing a country that disregards these values should not benefit from simplified access to the EU," stated Tomasz Semoniak, the Polish Minister of the Interior and Administration, who is currently presiding over the EU Council.

For travel to EU member states, as explained by the European Council, Georgian diplomats and officials will no longer be able to utilize expedited application processing times, reduced visa fees, and the ability to submit fewer supporting documents.

The visa facilitation agreement will be suspended for the following categories of individuals:

• members of official delegations from Georgia participating in official meetings and other events held on the territory of EU member states by intergovernmental organizations;
• members of national and regional governments and parliaments of Georgia, as well as the Constitutional and Supreme Courts of Georgia;
• holders of diplomatic passports.

Citizens of Georgia who hold regular passports will continue to enjoy a visa-free regime for short-term travel to the EU.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that Poland, Germany, and France are revoking the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomats. The reason for this was the country's refusal to integrate into the EU and the disputed parliamentary elections.