**Georgia Must Take Urgent Measures to Avoid Visa Regime Suspension**
The European Commission has published its seventh report on the “Visa Suspension Mechanism“. The report warns that Georgia must take further urgent measures to fulfill the Commission’s recommendations in order to continue meeting all standards for visa liberalization and avoid the possible implementation of the suspension mechanism.
**Key Issues Identified by the European Commission**
The Commission singles out specific issues that need to be addressed. These include:
* Protecting fundamental rights, such as freedom of association, assembly, and expression
* Repealing laws that limit these rights and freedoms, particularly those related to transparency, family values, and human rights
* Strengthening efforts to address unfounded asylum requests and irregular stays in member states
**Recommendations for Georgia**
The European Commission makes several recommendations for Georgia:
* Align its visa policy with the EU’s list of third countries that require visas
* Establish an Asset Recovery Office and strengthen asset tracing, freezing, management, confiscation, and liquidation efforts
* Adopt a new anti-corruption strategy and action plan, with a focus on investigating and prosecuting high-level corruption cases
* Amend laws related to the Anti-Corruption Bureau to ensure its independence and political neutrality
* Bring personal data protection law in line with EU standards
**Urgent Action Needed**
The report warns that Georgia must take urgent action to address these issues and avoid the possible implementation of the visa regime suspension mechanism for certain categories of persons.