BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 27. EU foreign ministers from 27 countries have decided to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders, Trend reports.
"Today, the Council decided to suspend parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement. This may lead to Georgian diplomats and officials having to apply for visa when travelling to the EU.
For travels to a member state which has reintroduced visa requirements, Georgian diplomats and officials will also no longer benefit from shorter application times, lower visa fees, and the possibility to submit fewer supporting documents," the European Council said in a statement.
The Council noted that the decision is a reaction to the adoption last year by Georgia of a 'Law on transparency of foreign influence' and a legislative package on 'family values and protection of minors'.
The EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement, effective from March 1, 2011, aimed to simplify visa issuance for Georgian citizens traveling to the EU for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The agreement includes a clause allowing suspension for reasons of public order, national security, or public health. On March 1, 2017, the EU Council and Parliament adopted a regulation granting Georgian nationals full visa-free travel to the EU.