Georgian Justice Minister meets EU migration official, as Georgia-EU visa waiver faces difficulties

Georgian Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani has met with Simon Mordue, Deputy Director-General for Migration at Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs of the Council of Europe in Tbilisi. Photo: Justice Ministry press office.

Agenda.ge, 24 Apr 2019 - 19:02, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani has met with the European Commission official for Migration and Home Affairs Simon Mordue earlier today to discuss  how to overcome recent difficulties for the EU-Georgia visa free deal signed in 2017.

Today’s meeting is very important for to work jointly with the representatives of the European Union to preserve the EU-Georgia visa waiver which has faced particular difficulties recently. This is the reality and our partners from the EU are saying that our citizens, several of them, misuse the opportunity,” Tsulukiani said.

She stated that further measures must be taken to prevent the illegal stay of Georgians in the Schengen Zone.

The meeting with EU officials was held in Tbilisi. Photo: Justice Ministry press office. 

Tsulukiani said that the Georgian government has already provided tough measures against the change of surnames and support for illegal stay abroad.

She said that for 2020, the passport of the Georgian citizen will come in full line with European standards which will prevent Georgians illegally crossing the border of an EU-member state.

Tsulukiani reiterated that the visa free agreement is for short-term goals and not for working purposes.

She stated that the visa free deal is a huge opportunity for Georgian youth and others to familiarize themselves with European culture and participate in short-term educational programmes.