Latvia officially supports visa-free regime between Georgia and EU

Latvia is supporting Georgia's goal to be granted a visa-free regime with the European Union (EU).

The Latvian Parliament issued a statement of support today.

The European Affairs Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Latvian Parliament reconfirmed the country’s "unwavering support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and praised Georgia’s progress in implementing its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan.

"[Latvia] commends the progress achieved by Georgia in implementing the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan and supports introduction of a visa-free regime,” the statement read.

Latvia also supported further integration of Georgia into the EU and emphasised the need for Georgia to focus on successfully implementing its EU Association Agreement in the coming years.

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The statement also supported Georgia’s efforts of integration with NATO, complimented Georgia’s contribution to NATO operations, as well as NATO’s special support program for Georgia.

The statement also touched upon Russia’s illegal occupation of Georgian territories and said "the aggressive external policy of the Russian Federation is designed to undermine Europe’s security”.

The statement strongly condemned the Treaty on Alliance and Integration signed on March 18, 2015 between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), as well as the Partnership Treaty between Russia and Georgia's other breakaway region Abkhazia, signed on November 24, 2014.

"Both of [these documents], in essence, constitute annexation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions,” the statement said.

Latvia said it was unacceptable that Russian border guards had relocated the border markers on the Administrative Boundary Line between Tbilisi-controlled territory and the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.

Meanwhile today, Georgian officials said people living in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions would also be able to enjoy visa-free travel to the EU if they applied for a Georgian passport.