“Georgia made no progress towards further visa policy alignment; on the contrary, with the signature of the visa waiver agreement with China in April 2024 the divergence with the EU visa policy increased,” reads the report of the European Commission.

Based on the report, Georgia claims that, since it does not share any direct land border with the EU, its lack of visa policy alignment does not pose a risk for the EU in terms of irregular migration or security.

However, the Commission recalls that visa policy alignment is a key objective for all countries in the EU’s neighbourhood and with EU membership goals. Therefore, the Commission expects Georgia to make progress on visa policy alignment.

According to the report, two lately adopted laws undermine fundamental freedoms.

“The adoption of the Law ‘on transparency of foreign influence’ in May 2024, and the adoption of the legislative package on ‘family values and protection of minors’ in September 2024 undermine the overall legal framework for upholding fundamental rights. Both initiatives infringe upon human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights to freedom of association, expression, and privacy.

The Law on transparency of foreign influence was adopted in May 2024 despite a Venice Commission opinion 19  and the EU’s reiterated calls recommending repealing the law. The law undermines the freedom of association and expression, the right to privacy, the right to participate in public affairs as well as the prohibition of discrimination.

Cumbersome reporting requirements and extensive powers given to the Ministry of Justice in controlling civil society and media organisations increase the risk of selective and arbitrary application,” reads the report.