Day: October 20, 2025
Kaja Kallas on Georgia’s deterioration
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has once again stated that the rule of law and human rights situation in Georgia has deteriorated.
She also added that personal attacks on EU ambassadors are unacceptable, clearly referring to the Georgian government’s attacks on the German ambassador.
“We have made it clear that the rule of law and human rights situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate. Personal attacks on European ambassadors are unacceptable and have no place in diplomacy,” Kallas said at a press conference following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
She added that the European Commission will present a report on the mechanism to suspend visa-free travel later this year. New visa rules will take effect in November, allowing the EU to revoke visa-free access for certain groups.
Georgia, which holds candidate status, appears to be among the countries at risk. “What is happening in Georgia is entirely different from the direction the European Union represents,” Kallas said.
Measures taken by the Georgian government against critical segments of society run completely counter to EU laws and values, Kaja Kallas said.
“Space for civil society and journalists is truly shrinking. Actions by the Georgian government against independent media, civil society, and protesters contradict all the laws and principles we uphold in the European Union,” she said.
Georgia holds candidate status, but with such measures, it cannot become an EU member. “What is happening in Georgia is entirely different from the direction the European Union represents,” Kallas added.
Kallas also clarified that sanctions against Georgia have not yet been adopted, as not all EU member states support the move.
“We have proposed a range of measures under various sanctions regimes. However, these sanctions cannot be adopted because not all member states back them,” she said.
On October 7, the European Parliament approved new rules aimed at making it easier to suspend visa liberalization for citizens of third countries.
Under the changes, the grounds for suspending visa-free travel will be expanded to include:
- Deterioration in the EU’s external relations with a third country, particularly regarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, or serious violations of the UN Charter;
- Non-compliance of the country’s visa-free regime with EU visa policy.
The updated mechanism also includes a specific provision for Georgia, allowing visa-free access to be restricted only for officials responsible for violations of fundamental rights and obligations in foreign relations.
According to Radio Free Europe, European diplomats say the adoption of the new rules is partly linked to the situation in Georgia.
News in Georgia
Sukhum airport to close
Sukhum airport, which reopened in May 2025 after a 30-year closure, will temporarily suspend operations. From 25 October, it will stop handling regular flights, as passenger numbers have dwindled with the end of the tourist season. Airlines say flying to Abkhazia has simply become unprofitable.
The airport could remain closed until the beginning of May 2026. There is a chance that flights to Sukhum will resume for a couple of weeks during the New Year holidays, but for the rest of the time the airport will remain idle.
It should be noted that, due to the lack of an international license, Sukhum airport only handles flights from Russia. Its reopening was also funded by Russian investment.
To reduce losses, Abkhaz authorities are now trying to negotiate with Moscow to maintain at least one or two weekly flights through subsidies from the Russian budget.
Originally, Abkhaz officials had aimed to reach one million passengers by the end of 2025. In practice, however, these plans proved unrealistic. Official figures show that since the airport’s reopening—around five months ago—just 110,000 passengers have flown through it.
Toponyms and terminology used by the author, as well as views, opinions and strategies expressed by them are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of JAMnews or any employees thereof. JAMnews reserves the right to delete comments it considers to be offensive, inflammatory, threatening or otherwise unacceptable
Sukhum airport to close
South Korea’s presidential office and government officials announced on Monday that South Korea and the United States have agreed to finalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on trade and nuclear cooperation during US President Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit on October 29, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.