EU Commission may sanction Georgia and suspend visa-free travel

The European Commission is considering the possibility of imposing sanctions against Georgia and suspending its visa-free regime. The level of political contact has already been reduced to a minimum.

At a briefing, the EU Commission’s spokesperson Anitta Hipper said that the European Commission does not rule out introducing sanctions against Georgia and revoking visa-free travel for its citizens.

"During the discussions we have held, other options were also considered, from sanctions to the suspension of the visa-free regime and other measures," Hipper said.

She added that Brussels has fully downgraded the level of political contacts with Tbilisi and has also terminated financial assistance to the Georgian authorities. Conversely, European financial support for "civil society" has been increased.