EU's Kallas warns visa-free travel for Georgia at risk over ‘democratic setbacks’

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that Georgia risks losing its visa-free travel privileges with the EU due to what she described as "serious setbacks" in the country’s democratic trajectory.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Tuesday, Kallas said the bloc was actively considering measures to respond to developments in Georgia, with the suspension of the visa waiver among the possible steps.

“We see a serious setback in Georgia and we are considering what else we can do. All options are on the table, including suspending the visa-free regime and other elements that will make the Georgian government change its calculations,” the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said.

Kallas confirmed that the EU will send an official letter to the Georgian government, setting out conditions that must be met within a defined timeframe. “If these conditions are not fulfilled within a specific period, we will have to suspend the visa-free regime,” she added.

The warning comes amid mounting criticism from Brussels over Georgia’s democratic backsliding, particularly in relation to controversial laws, ongoing “pressure” on civil society, and concerns over judicial independence.

Georgia has enjoyed visa-free access to the Schengen Area since 2017 - a key step in its aspirations toward EU integration.