The Georgian Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, stated that the suspension of the visa-free regime for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports is not a matter of significant importance.

Papuashvili described the European Union’s decision as an un-European behaviour against a government elected by the Georgian people.

“During an official visit, if obtaining a visa is necessary, it will be obtained without any issue. However, I must emphasize how un-European and disrespectful this behaviour is, not only towards the Georgian government, elected by the people but also towards the Georgian people as a whole. These decisions come from the very offices where, last year, Zurab Adeishvili—a convicted criminal and architect of Georgia’s torture system—was given a platform. This is the same individual behind schemes to seize control of Imedi and Rustavi 2 television stations from their rightful owners. And yet, from these same offices, they lecture us about democracy and the rule of law,” Papuashvili stated.

The European Council recently decided to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic and service passport holders.