Author

  • Tatia Dolidze has been an affiliated analyst at GIP since October 2019. In parallel, Ms. Dolidze is an Assistant Professor and a Department Head at the International Relations Bachelors programme of the European University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Furthermore, since 2015 Ms. Dolidze has held the position of an invited lecturer at the University of Georgia, Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the Caucasus University teaching BA and MA courses in the direction of European Studies, while she has also worked as a trainer in public speaking for different educational establishments. She has been pursuing her PhD in European Studies at the Institute of European Studies at TSU, during which she spent a year at the Masaryk University in Brno. Previously, Ms. Dolidze held various positions including that of a Chief Counselor of the International Relations and Communications Department at the Office of the National Security Council of Georgia; a Georgian Youth Representative to the United Nations; a Research Assistant at the EU Foreign Policy Unit of the Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Brussels, Belgium; and a trainee at the European Parliament, DG ERPS, Brussels, Belgium, among others. Ms. Dolidze has obtained a Masters Degree Cum Laude in European Studies from Maastricht University as an Open Society Foundation Scholar; and a Bachelors Degree in International Relations with distinction from Tbilisi State University. She has additionally undertaken short-term non-degree studies at the University of Siena in Italy and at the University of Vilnius in Lithuania. Apart from Georgian, which is her native language, Ms. Dolidze is fluent in French, Italian, English and Russian languages, and speaks intermediate Spanish.

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11/07/2024 Tatia Dolidze

Visa Suspension Mechanism Amended: Implications for Georgia and Response Strategies

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Author

  • Tatia Dolidze has been an affiliated analyst at GIP since October 2019. In parallel, Ms. Dolidze is an Assistant Professor and a Department Head at the International Relations Bachelors programme of the European University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Furthermore, since 2015 Ms. Dolidze has held the position of an invited lecturer at the University of Georgia, Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the Caucasus University teaching BA and MA courses in the direction of European Studies, while she has also worked as a trainer in public speaking for different educational establishments. She has been pursuing her PhD in European Studies at the Institute of European Studies at TSU, during which she spent a year at the Masaryk University in Brno. Previously, Ms. Dolidze held various positions including that of a Chief Counselor of the International Relations and Communications Department at the Office of the National Security Council of Georgia; a Georgian Youth Representative to the United Nations; a Research Assistant at the EU Foreign Policy Unit of the Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Brussels, Belgium; and a trainee at the European Parliament, DG ERPS, Brussels, Belgium, among others. Ms. Dolidze has obtained a Masters Degree Cum Laude in European Studies from Maastricht University as an Open Society Foundation Scholar; and a Bachelors Degree in International Relations with distinction from Tbilisi State University. She has additionally undertaken short-term non-degree studies at the University of Siena in Italy and at the University of Vilnius in Lithuania. Apart from Georgian, which is her native language, Ms. Dolidze is fluent in French, Italian, English and Russian languages, and speaks intermediate Spanish.

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Publish Date:
2024-07-11 12:26:15
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The EU Visa Suspension Mechanism (VSM) is a regulatory tool designed to ensure that third countries benefiting from visa-free travel to the Schengen area adhere to specific conditions. The European Commission has recently proposed amendments to the VSM to enhance its effectiveness by introducing stricter activation thresholds and expanded suspension grounds. This policy brief assesses the potential impact on Georgia of these proposed VSM revisions..

Using Eurostat data from 25 EU Schengen countries, this analysis focuses on asylum applicants, entry refusals, and illegal presence. Chi-squared tests for proportions compare Georgia’s data against both existing and proposed thresholds, revealing a significant increase in the likelihood of VSM activation under the new criteria in three out of four categories. The broadened suspension criteria, particularly concerning external relations, fundamental rights, and alignment with EU visa policy, are identified as the most challenging areas based on the European Commission’s latest VSM report and recent political developments in Georgia.

The recommendations for the Georgian government emphasize the need for immediate and targeted actions to align with VSM standards. These include strengthening diplomatic efforts, revising controversial laws, enhancing monitoring and reporting systems, conducting public awareness campaigns, improving border management and aligning visa policies.

Key Words:  Visa Suspension Mechanism (VSM); EU Visa Policy; Schengen Area; Georgia; Visa-Free Travel; Irregular Migration

Policy Brief #61 | July 2024

This publication has been produced under the REUNIR Project. REUNIR project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement nº 101132446. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
© Photo cover: The Information Center on NATO and EU
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Tatia Dolidze

Tatia Dolidze has been an affiliated analyst at GIP since October 2019. In parallel, Ms. Dolidze is an Assistant Professor and a Department Head at the International Relations Bachelors programme of the European University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Furthermore, since 2015 Ms. Dolidze has held the position of an invited lecturer at the University of Georgia, Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the Caucasus University teaching BA and MA courses in the direction of European Studies, while she has also worked as a trainer in public speaking for different educational establishments. She has been pursuing her PhD in European Studies at the Institute of European Studies at TSU, during which she spent a year at the Masaryk University in Brno. Previously, Ms. Dolidze held various positions including that of a Chief Counselor of the International Relations and Communications Department at the Office of the National Security Council of Georgia; a Georgian Youth Representative to the United Nations; a Research Assistant at the EU Foreign Policy Unit of the Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Brussels, Belgium; and a trainee at the European Parliament, DG ERPS, Brussels, Belgium, among others. Ms. Dolidze has obtained a Masters Degree Cum Laude in European Studies from Maastricht University as an Open Society Foundation Scholar; and a Bachelors Degree in International Relations with distinction from Tbilisi State University. She has additionally undertaken short-term non-degree studies at the University of Siena in Italy and at the University of Vilnius in Lithuania. Apart from Georgian, which is her native language, Ms. Dolidze is fluent in French, Italian, English and Russian languages, and speaks intermediate Spanish.