​President Margvelashvili pays first visa-free visit to Lithuania

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili is paying his first visa-free visit to Lithuania with Georgian citizens with Abkhazian and Ossetian origin today.

Tamaz Gatikaev, Esma Kokoskeria and Paata Shiukashvili from the Russian occupied regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) - will be among the first citizens of Georgia to use visa free travel opportunities to the European Union/Schengen Zone with President Margvelashvili.

• It’s official now: Georgians no longer need visa to EU

The regulation lifting visa requirements for Georgians entered into effect this Tuesday, March 28.

It means that Georgian citizens, including those living in breakaway Abkhaiza and Tskhinvali, who hold biometric passports can travel to the Schengen Zone for a period of 90 days within any 180-day period for purposes other than working.

The new visa-free countries include 22 EU states, four non-EU countries and four EU membership candidate states.

• Vilnius surprises first visa-free visitors from Georgia

During his visit to the Lithuania’s capital of Vilnius, President Margvelashvili will meet with the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis and Parliament Speaker Viktoras Pranckietis.

Open road to #Europe for Georgian people! #Georgia, travel safe! გილოცავთ!

— Dalia Grybauskaitė (@Grybauskaite_LT) 28 March 2017

President Grybauskaite was one of the first to congratulate Georgia with on its historic day, writing on Twitter that the EU’s door had opened to Georgians and wishing them safe travels.

She also filmed a video address, stating that Georgia is a regional example of success and adding in Georgian that she is proud of its achievements.