Georgia completes first phases of Visa Liberalization process
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Georgia is one step closer to gaining visa-free travel to the European Union (EU) after implementing 100 high level changes in the past year.
Since 2013, when Georgia was offered a Visa Liberalization Action Plan (VLAP) from the EU, the country has adopted 50 new laws and legislative changes, 40 legal acts and 10 strategies and action plans.
Georgia’s recent action ensured the country was nearing the end of the first stage of the VLAP and preparing to enter the second and final stage.
Georgian authorities said they expected the country would be appropriately recognized and hoped all its recent actions would be properly reflected at the EU Summit in Riga, Latvia, in 2015.
Georgian deputy Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili today said she believed in Riga, the EU would send Georgia a positive message, as it did with Moldova at the previous summit in Vilnius.
Georgia received its VLAP from the EU in February 2013. The Plan consisted of two phases – the legislative stage and implementation process.
All of the recent changes to Georgian law meant the country was about to end the first stage and prepare to enter the next stage of the VLAP.
Meanwhile Moldova was granted a VLAP by the EU in 2011. Earlier this year when the country completed both phases of the Action Plan, its citizens were granted visa-free entry to Schengenn area countries.
Travelling to many European nations is set to get easier as Georgia looks to enter the second phase of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP).
Easing visa regulations for Georgians and European Union (EU) countries is on the agenda for a meeting between Georgian and EU officials in Brussels.
Georgian travellers are set to enjoy an increase in freedom after authorities announced citizens would travel visa-free to Shengen countries no later than 2016.
Georgia is moving one step closer to Europe as it looks to enter the second phase of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP).
The Georgian Government is continuing to issue new identity documents to make it easier for Georgians to travel to EU countries.
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule said the most important step for Georgia in the immediate future was to sign the Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union (EU).
Georgian residents could travel to Schengen countries without a visa using ordinary passports in the next two years, believes Georgia’s Prime Minister.