“Hungary will not implement the European Union’s decision to suspend the visa-free regime for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports,” stated Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter Szijjarto, as Infostart reported.

“Hungary will not suspend its agreement with Georgia on visa requirement exemptions for service and diplomatic passports, as the Hungarian government believes that Georgia’s future should be decided in Georgia, and Georgians have made a clear decision, whether Brussels likes it or not,” stated Szijjarto.

For information, the EU foreign ministers made a decision to suspend the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomatic and service passport holders at the meeting in Brussels on January 27. According to available information, Slovakia and Hungary opposed this decision. However, a qualified majority was sufficient for the decision to pass.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated at the January 27 press conference that the decision “now needs to be implemented by EU member states in their internal rules.”

For reference, the EU Delegation to Georgia yesterday released a statement according to which the suspension of visa-free travel for officials is linked to the adoption of the Foreign Influence Transparency and Protection of Family Values laws, as well as violent repressions.