EU reconfirms support for Georgia’s visa free travel

The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Ministers have reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the shared objective of visa free travel for Georgian citizens and welcomed the country’s progress as it implements the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP).

Georgia has fulfilled phase one of the visa liberalisation process and has moved onto the next step.

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting in Brussels today issued their conclusions on Georgia’s visa liberalisation,where the Council said it also welcomed the Commission’s assessment on possible migratory and security impacts on the EU of future visa liberalisation for Georgia, and underlined its importance in the process of implementing the VLAP.

Earlier today it became clear that the EU’s first mission will visit Georgia on November 24 and prepare a progress report on Georgia’s implementation of the second phase of the visa liberalisation.

Today the Council shared its analysis that Georgia had reached all benchmarks during phase one and it had decided to launch an assessment of the benchmarks for the second phase. In this regard the Council stressed the need for full and effective implementation of all benchmarks under the second phase and particular attention would be paid to this.

Furthermore, the Council also invited the Commission to continue supporting Georgia implement the VLAP and noted the EU will continue reporting about Georgia’s progress in this field.

Meanwhile, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos met Georgia’s Prime Minister and Justice Minister in Brussels today, where he said he was ready to provide assistance to Georgia as it implemented the legislative, policy and institutional framework of phase two of the VLAP.