The European Union is considering suspending visa-free travel for Georgian citizens amid concerns over the country's reported departure from democratic principles, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said.

Speaking about the bloc's relations with Tbilisi, Kallas said the Georgian authorities' recent actions were moving in the wrong direction and that the EU would send a clear message of disapproval, according to Gazeta.ru.

“The steps taken by the Georgian authorities are not going in the right direction. We will send clear signals to the government that we do not support their policies,” Kallas said.

EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss further measures against Georgia in January.

Meanwhile, the bloc has so far failed to reach an agreement on imposing sanctions against Georgia's senior leadership, as a majority of EU member states oppose the proposed restrictions.

The possible suspension of visa-free travel would mark another step in the EU's response to growing tensions over Georgia's political course and its relations with the bloc.