EU Commissioner McGrath says new rules will allow stronger action on Georgia

Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, on Wednesday said that a report on the mechanism to suspend visa-free travel would be published later this week, with new rules set to come into effect by the end of the year.

He added that discussions are ongoing regarding possible sanctions against individuals responsible for democratic backsliding and human rights violations in Georgia.

“Under the rule of the Georgian Dream Government, Georgia is moving away from democratic norms. We support the Georgian people’s right to continue demanding a democratic European future,” McGrath said.

He also highlighted findings from the EU enlargement report, which noted Georgia’s democratic backsliding and anti-EU rhetoric by the authorities, describing the situation as unprecedented for a candidate country.

“Rapid erosion of the rule of law, restrictive legislation and the instrumentalisation of the judiciary fall short of the expectations for a candidate country,” McGrath said.