FM Bochorishvili: EU’s move to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats is “technical decision”

Maka Bochorishvili, Georgia’s Foreign Minister from the “Georgian Dream” party, has described the European Union’s decision to suspend visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports as a “technical decision.”

According to Bochorishvili, the move undermines efforts to improve relations between Georgia and the EU.

“If the EU claims that Georgian diplomats and diplomatic passport holders pose a threat to public order in EU member states, this will lack any factual basis or alignment with the goal of fostering healthier relations with Georgia. We view this decision as purely technical. We will closely observe how individual EU countries enforce the Council’s ruling,” Bochorishvili stated.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council recently approved the suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders. This decision means that Georgian diplomats and officials will now face reinstated visa requirements in EU member states implementing the change. They will no longer benefit from expedited processing times, reduced fees, or simplified documentation for their applications.