EP Vice-President: Georgia is a part of Europe

The visa waiver for Georgia will enter into force simultaneously with the visa-suspension mechanism, on which EU institutions have already reached an agreement. Photo by Agenda.ge

Agenda.ge, 02 Feb 2017 - 21:11, Tbilisi,Georgia

European Parliament (EP) Vice-President Ryszard Czarnecki hopes Georgia will become a member of the European Union (EU).

Czarnecki said Georgia is an "undivided part” of European culture, history and it is one of the Christian states within European civilization.

Czarnecki lead the plenary session today at which EP members voted in favour of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to the Schengen Area.

The EP Vice-President said some of the European countries have been skeptical towards the EP’s opening its door to Georgia; however, the parliamentarians have made an important long-term decision in Georgia’s favour.

Today has been the final stretch of a long marathon that Georgia has been running for years: starting in spring, Georgian citizens will be able to travel visa-free to most countries of the European Union.

With 553 votes in favour, 66 against and 28 abstaining, the EP approved visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to most countries of the EU.

However, the visa waiver for Georgia will enter into force simultaneously with the visa-suspension mechanism, on which EU institutions have already reached an agreement.