Month: May 2025
The Polish Embassy in Tbilisi has advised Polish citizens to consider factors that may lead to the denial of entry into Georgia before traveling, emphasizing factors such as participation in or presence at ongoing protests, as well as social media activity. The French Embassy issued a similar advisory later the same day.
“We would like to remind you that the Georgian authorities have the sovereign right to assess risk factors for the entry of a foreigner, and the decision to refuse entry may also apply to holders of a valid Georgian residence permit,” the Polish Embassy said in a May 29 statement, issued amid a growing number of cases in which foreigners, including EU citizens, have been refouled at Georgia’s border.
“We would also like to point out that for participating – even allegedly – in the demonstrations, foreigners can be fined heavily, and re-entry into Georgia may entail immediate payment,” the Embassy adds.
Later that evening, the French Embassy issued a similar statement for its citizens, warning that entry into Georgia could be denied even to those holding valid Georgian residence permits. The statement advised travellers to “check before their trip for any factors that could put them at risk of being refused entry to Georgia,” including participation in demonstrations and online activity.
The advisories follow over a year of such incidents, intensified amid ongoing protests since November 2024, where foreign nationals, including journalists, activists, rights defenders, and politicians, have been turned away from the Georgian border under the vague pretext of “other cases provided for by Georgian legislation.”
The statements also come against the background of passing a legislative package in the one-party parliament aimed at tightening immigration controls. Under the proposed amendments, foreigners could be expelled from Georgia and barred from re-entering for administrative offenses such as petty hooliganism and disobedience to police. The Interior Ministry implied that foreign participants in protests will be particular targets of these changes.
On May 21, Simon Vanderbroucke, a member of the EU Delegation to Georgia, was denied entry at Tbilisi International Airport. It marked the first reported case of an EU diplomat being refused entry. GD authorities attributed the incident to a “technical problem.”
The news was updated at 18:35 to include the French Embassy’s statement.
Also Read:
- 23/05/2025 – RSF: British Journalist Denied Entry to Georgia
- 09/05/2025 – Belarusian Activist Denied Entry to Georgia
- 20/03/2025 – Lithuanian Rights Defender Denied Entry to Georgia
- 31/03/2025 – French Photojournalist Denied Entry to Georgia
- 23/10/2024 – Czech Journalist Denied Entry to Georgia
EU spokesperson on Black Sea Strategy
According to Anita Hipper, EU spokesperson for foreign and security policy, the shape and trajectory of Georgia’s relations with its partners under the new EU Black Sea Strategy will largely depend on the country’s approach. She told this to Euroscope. In her words, the stability of the Black Sea is crucial for Georgia’s security, trade, and energy relations.
On 28 May 2025, the European Union approved a document outlining the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea. The document details the support and benefits the EU offers to interested partners in the integration process, as well as the importance of aligning their policies with the bloc’s foreign policy.
“The EU will work closely with partners to coordinate a common foreign and security policy, including sanctions and defense policy. Particular focus will be placed on strengthening the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus, especially regarding sanctions and efforts to circumvent them,” the document, prepared by Kaja Kallas, states.
Anita Hipper:
“The Black Sea region holds strategic importance for the EU. Countries in the region are strengthening their ties with the European Union: Ukraine and Moldova are pursuing EU membership, and Georgia still has a chance to return to the path of European integration. The stability of the Black Sea is essential for Georgia’s security, trade, and energy relations.
The new strategy offers partner countries, including Georgia, a framework based on shared goals, objectives, and collective responsibility. The core of the Black Sea Strategy is to promote stability and peace based on common values.
Partner countries must demonstrate strong political commitment to achieving these goals. Accordingly, the shape and trajectory of such a partnership will largely depend on Georgia’s approach and dedication. It is important to note that the EU enlargement process will continue independently, and Georgia’s progress on the path to European integration will remain assessed within that framework.”
