Georgian FM says EU cancellation of visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders has “specific conditions”

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said the European Union’s cancellation of an existing agreement with Georgia on visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports had “specific conditions”, adding “we must wait for the European Commission's clarification”.

Botchorishvili’s comments came after the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday decided on the measure in response to the Georgian Government's decision not to include accession talks with the European Union in its agenda until 2028 and its response to ongoing public protests against the move.

In her interview with Rustavi 2 TV channel, Botchorishvili said the “gesture” by the bloc was “politically very incomprehensible”.

Nothing has been imposed yet - there are international agreements, there are international norms that regulate relations between us and the European Union when it comes to visa-free travel with diplomatic passports. As for this issue in principle, that diplomats should be punished for something, this is something unheard of”, the top Georgian diplomat said.

“This gesture is politically very incomprehensible - [even] countries at war respect each other's diplomats, and it is not the form accepted in international relations. Diplomats are a special circle of people, they enjoy privileges and immunities, precisely because this highlights their special status in relations between countries”, she continued.

The Minister further added it was “necessary to see what legal basis and explanation” the European Commission would provide for the move, and “how this measure should be implemented”.