Georgian PM claims EU suspending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders “purely technical”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday claimed the probability of the Council of the European Union suspending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders was “quite high”, but added the issue represented “purely a technical, symbolic matter”.

Kobakhidze’s comments followed the Council’s decision to suspend parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement - a move that might lead to Georgian diplomats and officials needing to apply for a visa when travelling to the EU - after the Government’s decision late last year not to include the EU accession talks on its agenda until 2028.

The main thing for us is that there is no threat to peace in the country and that there is no threat to the interests of the public, our people”, the PM said in his reaction.

We can travel to the European Union with a visa or without a visa, it has no essential meaning. The only essential meaning is that we must continue to maintain peace in our country and protect the fundamental interests of our people”, he added.

Kobakhidze also responded to a statement by Jean-Noël Barrot, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France who on Monday suggested termination of visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports and Government officials of the ruling Georgian Dream party, by describing it as a “continuation of unfortunate events”.

The PM noted related discussions highlighted “challenges” the EU was facing, adding he had “great hope” the bloc would “soon be able to overcome these problems”.