Georgian and European Union officials met in Brussels on June 11 for an “enhanced dialogue” following the suspension of the visa-free regime for Georgian holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports, with the Georgian side expressing a “positive” outlook after the meeting, while an EU official described the talks as “rather unfruitful.”
The meeting, which was part of a “standard process” required under EU visa regulations whenever the suspension mechanism is activated, came amid wider concerns that the measure, initially imposed for one year and subject to review, may eventually be extended to regular passports and affect the entire Georgian population.
European Commission Spokesperson Markus Lammert said at the midday briefing before the start of the meeting that the talks aimed to “remedy the circumstances” that led to the suspension, which he stressed was triggered by “Georgia’s violation of its commitments under the visa-free regime in key areas of democracy and fundamental rights.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, in a statement shared with pro-government media after the meeting, said the suspension of the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomatic passport holders was “unfair” move, that EU demands to repeal some legislation are “baseless,” and that the Georgian side reaffirmed its readiness during the meeting to continue cooperation based on “mutual respect,” “equality,” and “common interests,” emphasizing the importance of “high-level political dialogue.”
‘Unfruitful’ Talks
Following the meeting, Giorgi Tabatadze, Director of the Directorate of International Legal, Consular, and Diaspora Affairs under Georgia’s Foreign Ministry, who reportedly led the Georgian delegation, was asked to comment on the talks. “Within the dialogue, we had a working meeting. We talked, we heard their positions, they heard our positions. Then time will show,” he told Georgian journalist Tamara Nutsubidze of Euroscope. Asked whether another meeting could take place in the future, he said, “We will see. The future will show.” In response to a clarifying question, he said he has a “positive” outlook.
Meanwhile, Rikard Jozwiak, RFE/RL’s Europe editor, said that an EU official described the dialogue with Georgia as “rather unfruitful.” The journalist added, “The EU side wasn’t impressed.”
According to RFE/RL’s Georgian Service, which cited an EU official speaking anonymously, Georgian representatives at the meeting defended the legislation that Brussels has called on Tbilisi to repeal. The outlet reported that, when asked whether they were ready to change the legislation, the Georgian side said they represented a “technical group” and that the issues raised were “political” in nature. The outlet also suggested that Tbilisi is seeking a political-level dialogue with Brussels.
In talks with the outlet, the same EU official described as “propaganda” the Georgian delegation’s talking points regarding alleged efforts by “foreign-funded agents” to change the government in Tbilisi and organize a “violent protest.” According to the source, the Georgian side said there were areas where results can be achieved, although these were described by the same official as bare minimum.
Foreign Ministry Statement
The Georgian Foreign Ministry gave a broader comment to pro-government media following the meeting.
It began by saying that the European Commission’s suspension of the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomatic passport holders was based on a “tendentious” report on Georgia, describing the move, which it said was taken on “insufficient justification,” as “unfair.” It then said that within the dialogue, the sides discussed the reasons cited by the EU for the suspension, as well as the recommendations and the measures “undertaken or currently underway” by Georgia to implement them.
According to the ministry, “it was emphasized” during the meeting that Georgia’s Constitution and “current legislation” ensure the protection of fundamental human rights, and “it was noted” that Georgia has “effective mechanisms” for human rights protection, citing ongoing protests as “evidence” that the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration is protected in the country. It further said that the talks also touched on the 2024 protest rallies, which it described as “violent,” adding that “investigative actions are ongoing” to hold law enforcement officers accountable for documented cases, and noting that five officers have already been detained.
“It was stressed that calls to repeal laws adopted by the elected legislative body are unfounded, as they were passed in line with Georgia’s national and public interests and do not contradict any international convention or agreement to which Georgia is a party,” the ministry said, adding, “It was also noted that Georgia’s Constitution and legislation provide effective mechanisms to combat discrimination.” The remarks apparently concern the controversial foreign agents and anti-LGBT legislation, which the EU has been calling on Georgia to repeal.
The ministry added that the sides also discussed migration and corruption-related topics.
Saying that “political manipulation” of the visa-free regime is “unacceptable,” the Foreign Ministry concluded, “The Georgian side reaffirmed its readiness to continue constructive cooperation with the European Union based on mutual respect, equality, and common interests, and stressed the importance of high-level political dialogue.”
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