The European Commission launched a formal procedure that could lead to the suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders, marking a significant step in the European Union’s response to developments in Tbilisi.

The move targets holders of Georgian diplomatic passports and their family members, rather than the broader population.

According to Commission representatives, the action is being pursued under the EU’s existing visa suspension mechanism, a legal framework that allows Brussels to temporarily withdraw visa-free travel privileges in specific circumstances.

Speaking at a briefing in Brussels, Markus Lammert, a representative of the European Commission, confirmed that the process was initiated last month, The Caspian Post reports, citing TASS.

He explained that EU member states have already delivered a positive assessment of the proposal, clearing the way for the Commission to proceed with the next procedural steps. Further details on implementation are expected to be announced in due course.

The visa suspension mechanism is designed to provide the EU with leverage when it determines that the conditions underpinning visa liberalization are no longer being met. While it has most commonly been discussed in relation to migration management and security benchmarks, the tool can also be applied in broader political contexts. In this case, the measure is being framed as part of a wider package of sanctions and diplomatic pressure directed at the Georgian authorities.

At the same briefing, Anwar al-Anuni, spokesperson for the EU’s foreign policy service, outlined the political rationale behind the Commission’s approach. He accused Georgia of “departing from democratic norms” and narrowing the space for civil society. His remarks reflect growing concern within EU institutions over the trajectory of governance and political freedoms in the country.

The potential suspension would not automatically take effect upon announcement. The process involves several institutional steps, including formal notification and defined timelines. However, the positive assessment from EU member states indicates political backing within the bloc for moving forward.

Georgia has benefited from visa-free travel to the Schengen Area for short stays since 2017, a milestone widely seen as a symbol of closer ties between Tbilisi and Brussels. Any suspension - even if limited to diplomatic passport holders - would carry political significance, signaling strain in EU-Georgia relations.

As the European Commission prepares its next steps, the situation underscores the EU’s willingness to use existing legal instruments to respond to concerns over democratic standards and governance among partner countries.