Georgia needs to take urgent steps to protect human rights, repeal restrictive laws, fight corruption and strengthen migration controls to avoid suspending the visa-free regime with the EU. This follows from the report of the European Commission on the implementation of visa-free travel conditions, reports UNN with reference to Georgia News.
"Taking into account recent events in Georgia, discussions continue about the possible activation of the mechanism for suspending the visa regime for certain categories of persons. In order to continue meeting all the benchmarks of visa liberalization and avoid possible activation of the suspension mechanism, Georgia needs to take additional urgent measures to implement the Commission's recommendations," the report says.
Thus, it is noted that over the past year, "Georgia has not made progress in further harmonization of its visa policy." "On the contrary, with the signing of the visa — free regime agreement with China in April 2024, the gap with the EU visa policy has increased," the EC notes.
In addition to China, Georgia currently has a visa-free regime with 25 other countries whose citizens need visas to enter the EU: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Botswana, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The Georgian authorities argue that since the country does not have a land border with the EU, the lack of visa policy harmonization does not pose a threat to the Union regarding irregular migration or security. The commission, in turn, emphasizes that harmonization "is a key goal for all EU neighboring countries and for those who seek EU membership.
According to the report, in 2023, the number of applications for asylum in EU countries from Georgian citizens decreased by 8%, to 24.4 thousand. Ten cases of illegal border crossing of EU member states by Georgian citizens were also recorded. The number of Georgian citizens illegally staying in the EU countries increased by 12%, to 24.6 thousand.
The European Commission positively assesses the authorities ' readmission strategy and cooperation with EU authorities in terms of improving migration management and Border Security.
At the same time, the commission is concerned about the human rights situation in Georgia. The report notes that recently passed laws on foreign agents and banning "LGBT propaganda" "undermine the overall legal framework for protecting fundamental rights.
"Both initiatives violate human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights to freedom of association, expression of opinion and privacy," the document says.
Грузія призупиняє переговори з ЄС до 2028 року28.11.24, 16:30
Main recommendations:
Ensure the protection of the fundamental rights of Georgian citizens, including freedom of assembly, expression, the right to privacy, and the Prohibition of discrimination.
Repeal laws that restrict rights and freedoms that contradict the principle of non-discrimination and European standards. This is especially true for the law on" transparency of foreign influence "and the law on"family values and protection of minors". Amend the National Human Rights strategy to guarantee "full support for the rights" of LGBT people.
Bring Georgia's visa policy in line with EU requirements, especially in relation to countries that pose a threat to the EU in terms of illegal migration and security.
Step up efforts to reduce the number of unsubstantiated asylum applications and the number of illegal stays by conducting information campaigns and improving border controls.
Establish asset recovery and management offices, and continue to track and confiscate illegal assets. This refers to specialized state institutions for combating financial crimes and returning stolen assets to the country's economy.
Adopt a new anti-corruption strategy, focusing on high-level investigations and trials of corruption.
Amend the law on the Anti-Corruption Bureau to increase the independence and political neutrality of the agency.
Bring the personal data protection act in line with EU law.
Грузія погрожує дипломатичною відповіддю послу ЄС через його риторику29.11.24, 13:54