Foreign Minister says Georgians will not be able to receive asylum in the EU

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that Georgian citizens ask for asylum in the EU in vain, given that most European countries have put Georgia on the list of safe countries.

Minister Zalkaliani said the Georgian government has taken measures and conducted a large-scale information campaign to prevent the misuse of visa-free travel.

Visa-free travel is our greatest achievement we are doing our best to preserve it,” Minister Zalkaliani said at parliament today. 

He stated that the activation of the suspension mechanism is not foreseen at the moment but Georgia still cannot be inattentive in this respect.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry warns Georgian citizens that none of their applications for asylum in the EU/Schengen countries will be granted. Photo: MCM.ge

David Zalkaliani emphasized Georgia’s close cooperation with the EU authorities and its member countries, adding the government immediately reacts to any concerns that European partners show in relation to cases of the misuse of visa-free travel.

The number of asylum-seekers tends to increase in certain countries but we work in a round-clock mode and provide an immediate response,’’ he said noting that more communication and preventive measures are required.  

He also stated that the public should fully realize how significant the issue is.

We need to provide the public with the message that all attempts of seeking asylum in the EU are in vain and such attempts will only damage their own interests,” David Zalkaliani stated.

Earlier on March 12, Georgian consuls visited the families of Georgian asylum-seekers in Barcelona, Spain and Amiens, France, where they have to sleep outside because they are unable to receive asylum.  

The Georgian citizens were advised to immediately return to their homeland.

Spain stated that minors must not be in the street, and according to their legislation the authorities will have to take the children to special facilities.

Georgian Consul to Barcelona Ketevan Gogolashvili emphasized that Georgians are often misinformed and this is why they leave the country. 

The Georgian Foreign Ministry warns Georgian citizens that none of their applications for asylum in the EU/Schengen countries will be granted as EU/Schengen zone assesses Georgia as a safe country protecting the fundamental human rights.