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The European Union is considering suspending the visa-free regime with Georgia in response to the Georgian authorities’ disproportionately harsh actions against mass protesters. This was stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas in Brussels on 15 July, Ukrinform reports.
“Among the options available are sanctions and suspension of the visa-free regime,” Kallas said.
According to her, Brussels has already prepared an official letter in which the EU sets out clear conditions to be met by the Georgian authorities. If this does not happen within a certain period of time, the visa-free regime may be frozen.
European diplomats are also agreeing on a sanctions list that includes at least two Georgian judges. The move is linked to the “disproportionate” sentences handed down to young protesters.
Protests in Georgia erupted after the adoption of the so-called “Russian law” on “foreign agents”. It provides for repressive control over NGOs, media and activists receiving support from abroad. The authorities used water cannons, tear gas and mass detentions against the demonstrators, which provoked a strong reaction from the EU and the US.
