Georgia’s PM: "I hope visa waiver will be finalised very soon”
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Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili hopes all procedures related to the country's visa liberalisation to the European Union (EU) will be finalised in the nearest future meaning Georgian citizens will be granted a visa waiver to the EU’s Schengen Zone.
Speaking at today’s Governmental meeting Kvirikashvili welcomed a recent agreement between the Council of Europe and the European Parliament about a Suspension Mechanism and he thanked Georgia’s friends and allies in Brussels and throughout Europe for supporting the Georgia-EU visa liberalisation process.
Thanks for your great commitment & work @FedericaMog - #Georgia looks forward to a sprint in this last mile to visa liberalisation@eu_eeashttps://t.co/tKHiDllNEq
— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) December 8, 2016
Kvirikashvili also dedicated tweets of gratitude to European Parliament President Martin Schulz, Council of Europe President Donald Tusk, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn and chair of the European People's Party Group in the European Parliament Manfred Weber after they applauded the removal of the last precondition for a visa waiver, which contributed to an earlier lack of a deal on the Suspension Mechanism, for Georgia and Ukraine.
A range of procedures are still ahead and we are step-by-step following the process and hope all visa liberalisation-related procedures will be completed very soon,” said Kvirikashvili.
Georgia has already met all its obligations drafted within the Georgia-EU Visa Liberalisation Action Plan and, of course, our friends in Brussels and in European capitals very much helped and continue to help us in this process,” he added.
Kvirikashvili said Euro-Atlantic integration was a "key strategic priority for Georgia” which significantly specified the agenda for inter-state reforms.
The reforms aim to provide better living conditions and increase the development of the economy so Georgia can be fully in line with best European standards and be equal with other European states,” said Georgia's Prime Minister.
Kvirikashvili vowed Georgia would continue its journey towards a better, European future.
“EU keeps its promise when a country delivers”
Visa free travel for Georgian citizens to the European Union is finally in sight after an agreement between the Council of Europe and the European Parliament over the suspension mechanism was reached.
European Parliament Member Kati Piri announced on Twitter that European structures have agreed on the suspension mechanism, which was the last precondition in place for Georgia to be granted a visa waiver to the EU.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk has sent a letter to President of the European Parliament Marti Schulz, stressing the importance of granting visa-free regime to Georgia and Ukraine.
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini says she personally looked forward to Georgia's visa liberalisation with the EU.
Georgia's visa waiver will be discussed in Brussels this evening at a special meeting involving the European Parliament, European Council and European Commission.
The European Parliament and the Council of Europe have reached a political agreement today regarding Georgia's visa liberalisation with the European Union, it was announced today.
What’s next?
Georgia's Foreign Ministry is welcoming the political agreement reached within the EU to grant Georgian citizens visa free travel to the EU, and explains what procedures remain for the agreement to actually come into force.
“Georgians will travel to EU visa free from April”
A European Parliament member and co-rapporteur of Georgia’s visa liberalisation says the Council of Europe has suggested Georgia will receive a visa waiver before the end of April 2017.
Green light for Georgia’s visa waiver
Today the European Parliament officially approved the rules of the Suspension Mechanism at its plenary session - the last thing standing in Georgia's way for visa liberalisation to the European Union.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikhel Janelidze says only technical procedures remain before Georgia is officially granted a visa waiver to the European Union.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze believes 2016 was a historic year for moving Georgia-European Union (EU) relations forward.