EU's Kallas warns of worsening rule of law in Georgia as EU prepares visa suspension report

The European Commission will present its report on the EU’s visa suspension mechanism by the end of this year, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday.

Kallas said that EU ministers were “very clear” in expressing concern that the rule of law and protection of human rights were deteriorating in Georgia.

“Ministers were very clear that the rule of law and human rights protection are worsening in Georgia. Personal attacks on EU ambassadors are unacceptable and have no place in diplomacy,” Kallas stated.

The EU’s top diplomat also noted that new visa regulations, set to take effect in November, will enable the bloc to suspend visa-free travel for specific groups if necessary.

The Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg addressed a range of international issues, including developments in Georgia and the state of EU-Georgia relations amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding.