In March 2026, the European Commission activated the visa suspension mechanism for Georgia, requiring holders of Georgian diplomatic, service and official passports to obtain visas until 6 March 2027. If the Georgian authorities fail to address concerns related to governance and the rule of law, the Commission may extend the suspension for up to 24 months. It may also decide to apply the measure to all Georgian citizens.<\/p>\n
What was the purpose of the meeting?<\/p>\n
According to the European Commission, the 11 June meeting was technical in nature and aimed to discuss in detail the circumstances that led to the activation of the suspension mechanism.<\/p>\n
The main objective was not to conduct political negotiations but to exchange views and review the recommendations that the European Commission had presented to Georgia.<\/p>\n
EU representatives said the discussions took place in a \u201cfact-based environment\u201d, with both sides presenting their positions and assessments.<\/p>\n
Georgia\u2019s position: laws and sovereignty<\/p>\n Following the meeting, Georgia\u2019s Foreign Ministry said the Georgian delegation had presented its arguments in detail and reaffirmed its position regarding the European Commission\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n According to the ministry, Georgia believes that its constitution and legislation fully guarantee the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly and association.<\/p>\n Tbilisi argues that the EU\u2019s demand to repeal certain laws is unjustified because the legislation in question reflects Georgia\u2019s domestic legal framework and public interests.<\/p>\n The Foreign Ministry also said that politicising the issue of visa liberalisation is unacceptable and that the process should remain within a technical and legal framework.<\/p>\n Contents of the official statement<\/p>\n In a detailed statement, Georgia\u2019s Foreign Ministry said the meeting focused on:<\/p>\n Recommendations put forward by the European Commission;<\/p>\n Reforms already implemented by Georgia and those currently under way;<\/p>\n Cooperation on migration management;<\/p>\n The development of anti-corruption policies.<\/p>\n According to the ministry, Georgia continues to work with EU member states to prevent irregular migration and strengthen the relevant institutional mechanisms.<\/p>\n Points of contention: democracy and legislation<\/p>\n According to the EU, concerns over democratic standards and fundamental rights were among the main reasons for activating the visa suspension mechanism.<\/p>\n At the centre of the dispute are several laws that Brussels believes should be revised.<\/p>\n The Georgian side argues that:<\/p>\n The laws were adopted in line with national interests;<\/p>\n They do not contradict Georgia\u2019s international obligations;<\/p>\n Effective anti-discrimination mechanisms are in place.<\/p>\n The Foreign Ministry also maintains that Georgia has an institutional framework for the protection of human rights and guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, which it says is demonstrated by the country\u2019s long history of public protests.<\/p>\n The events of 2024<\/p>\n The ministry\u2019s statement devoted particular attention to the 2024 protests.<\/p>\n According to the Foreign Ministry, there were incidents involving violence and attacks on state institutions, after which investigations were launched.<\/p>\n The ministry said several individuals had been detained in cases related to the possible abuse of power by law enforcement officers, and that judicial proceedings are currently under way.<\/p>\n Maka Botchorishvili\u2019s assessment<\/p>\n Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said the 11 June meeting was only an initial step in the process.<\/p>\n She stressed that no specific agreements or final decisions had been discussed.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was the first meeting at the working level. Our goal was to exchange positions and provide information,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Botchorishvili added that the process would continue and that future meetings were expected to involve more in-depth discussions.<\/p>\n Brussels\u2019 assessment<\/p>\n According to European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert, the meeting was technical in nature and focused on the issues that led to the activation of the visa suspension mechanism.<\/p>\n He said the European Commission had explained its decision in detail, while the Georgian side presented its own position. The parties agreed to report back to their respective leaderships.<\/p>\n The European Commission said the process would continue and that further steps would be assessed in due course.<\/p>\n \u2018The meeting in Brussels received a negative assessment\u2019<\/p>\n
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