**EU Visa-Free Travel in Jeopardy as Poland Pushes for Restrictions**
Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has announced that his government is working to limit or suspend visa-free travel for Georgia. This move comes amid concerns over democratic backsliding and migration issues.
Tusk made the statement during a recent parliamentary hearing, where he emphasized that this decision is not just about Georgia, but also addresses broader migration concerns within Europe. He acknowledged that while some Georgians share European values, the country’s government has failed to uphold basic democratic standards.
The Polish leader pointed out that 50 Georgian citizens were recently deported from Poland for committing various crimes. This move by Tusk has sparked controversy, with many accusing him of using visa-free travel as a tool to pressure the Georgian government.
**Georgia Accuses EU of Blackmail**
Tbilisi has accused Brussels of blackmailing the Georgian Dream government over the visa-free issue. The EU suspended visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders earlier this year, citing concerns over democratic backsliding in the country.
The move by Tusk comes as the EU prepares to simplify its mechanism for suspending visa-free travel. Under proposed changes, the bloc could trigger a suspension in cases of serious human rights violations and abuses or grave breaches of international law.
**No Unanimous Agreement Required**
Unlike most EU decisions, suspending visa-free travel does not require unanimous agreement among all 27 member states. This has raised concerns that individual countries may use this mechanism to exert pressure on others.
The decision by Tusk has sparked a heated debate within the EU and in Georgia. Many are questioning whether this move will effectively address migration concerns or simply become a tool for individual countries to pursue their own interests.
**A New Era for EU Visa Policy**
As the EU prepares to simplify its visa-free suspension mechanism, many are wondering what this means for the future of EU visa policy. Will this lead to a more restrictive approach towards visa-free travel, or will it provide an opportunity for greater cooperation and unity among member states?
The proposed changes aim to address serious human rights violations and abuses, but some worry that this may become a slippery slope, where individual countries start using these mechanisms to pursue their own agendas.
As the EU navigates this complex issue, one thing is clear: the future of visa-free travel within the bloc hangs in the balance.
