Latvia officially supports visa-free regime between Georgia and EU
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Latvia is supporting Georgia's goal to be granted a visa-free regime with the European Union (EU).
The Latvian Parliament issued a statement of support today.
The European Affairs Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Latvian Parliament reconfirmed the country’s "unwavering support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and praised Georgia’s progress in implementing its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan.
"[Latvia] commends the progress achieved by Georgia in implementing the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan and supports introduction of a visa-free regime,” the statement read.
Latvia also supported further integration of Georgia into the EU and emphasised the need for Georgia to focus on successfully implementing its EU Association Agreement in the coming years.
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The statement also supported Georgia’s efforts of integration with NATO, complimented Georgia’s contribution to NATO operations, as well as NATO’s special support program for Georgia.
The statement also touched upon Russia’s illegal occupation of Georgian territories and said "the aggressive external policy of the Russian Federation is designed to undermine Europe’s security”.
The statement strongly condemned the Treaty on Alliance and Integration signed on March 18, 2015 between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), as well as the Partnership Treaty between Russia and Georgia's other breakaway region Abkhazia, signed on November 24, 2014.
"Both of [these documents], in essence, constitute annexation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions,” the statement said.
Latvia said it was unacceptable that Russian border guards had relocated the border markers on the Administrative Boundary Line between Tbilisi-controlled territory and the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.
Meanwhile today, Georgian officials said people living in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions would also be able to enjoy visa-free travel to the EU if they applied for a Georgian passport.
The European migrant crisis will not hamper Georgia’s visa liberalisation pace, says a European Union (EU) envoy in Georgia.
European Council President Donald Tusk thinks it is possible for Georgians to travel without visas to European Union (EU) countries in 2016.
"Georgia's progress has been significant in a short period of time" but the country "still needs to address the remaining recommendations” says the European Commission in its latest report on Georgia's implementation of its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP).
A political decision has been made on the visa free regime between Georgia and the European Union (EU), and only technical procedures need to be finished, said Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili at the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit in Riga today.
Foreign Minister of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics is coming to Tbilisi today. Rinkevics will be welcomed by Georgian Foreign Minister, Vice Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili when he arrives this afternoon.
Georgia and Latvia are tightening their economic ties which will see Tbilisi host a Georgia-Latvia Inter-Governmental Economic Commission meeting in December.
Pledging Latvia’s unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics visited the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) that separates breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) from Georgia.
A Latvian top official, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, who visited Georgia this week believes the country "must expect” a positive outcome regarding visa free travel to the Schengen zone. The thoughts of Latvia’s Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics was revealed today after he visited Georgia and met top local officials earlier this week.
Georgia and Latvia are tightening their economic, trade and business ties, says the Economy Ministers of both countries.
Georgia’s Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili will today hold meeting with Latvia’s President, Prime Minister and other high officials in Riga. Usupashvili, accompanied by a delegation, is paying an official visit to Latvia.
Latvia is ready to share its experience to Georgia on how to get involved in economic and financial programs of the European Union (EU) and how to get the most benefits from the programs.
A visa-free travel regime between Georgia and the European Union (EU) will strengthen economic and trade ties and enhance people-to-people relations, believes Latvia’s Foreign Minister Edgards Rinkevics.
Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis and his wife are paying a visit to Georgia.
Ainars Latkovskis, the Chair of the Georgia Friendship Group of the Latvian Parliament, on Tuesday said the country supported Georgia's accession to NATO and the European Union, making the comment after meeting Georgian MPs in capital Riga.