Estonian Foreign Minister: Georgia is ready for visa freedom with EU

The delay of Georgia’s visa liberalisation progress report had nothing to do with Georgia but was the fault of Ukraine, officials confirm.

A short time ago Estonia’s Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand confirmed the delay of the release of visa liberalisation progress reports for Georgia and Ukraine was due to the Ukrainian side.

Kaljurand said Ukraine "has not filled all technical requirements but Georgia may expect a positive outcome”.

The Estonian top diplomat approved Georgia had made great effort to fill all conditions stated in the road map to visa freedom and deserved recognition.

"People are waiting for a positive message for Georgia, which states that Georgia is ready for visa freedom with the European Union,” she said, adding that if this is the case, then technical preparations will begin.

"According to the most optimistic forecasts, the actual visa freedom may begin in five to six months,” Kaljurand said.

"Georgia has filled all technical requirements and there is political will in the EU to support the decision.”

The Minister’s words were spread via Estonia’s Public Broadcaster.

Yesterday European Union (EU) officials said the release of the visa liberalisation progress reports for Georgia and Ukraine had been postponed but would be released before the end of the year.

The EU said the reports – due to be released today – had been delayed for "technical reasons” and the reports will be published in the next two weeks.