Russia introduces visa liberalisation for Georgians
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Russia has completely reversed its tough stance on Georgian tourists by introducing simplified visa-procedures. Today Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement that said from tomorrow, December 23, all Georgian citizens can enjoy simplified visa procedures with Russia.
The Russian side stressed the country had taken this step because it "strived for positive relations with Georgia”.
In the context of the ongoing process of normalising Russia-Georgia relations and to stimulate positive developments between the two countries, from December 23, 2015 citizens of Georgia will be issued business, work, education and humanitarian visas … and private visas regardless of the relationship between the visitor and the [Russian] host who made the invitation, issued in the prescribed manner by the Russian Federal Migration Service,” read the Russia Foreign Ministry’s statement.
This does not exclude future visa-free travel between Georgia and Russia achieved through mutual cooperation,” the Russian body added.
Russia's Foreign Ministry also released the statement on its official Twitter page:
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In December 2000 Russia introduced a visa regime with Georgia and in 2006 it carried out a mass deportatation of Georgians from Russia.
After the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, Georgian citizens were only awarded a visa to travel to Russia if they had been invited by very close relatives.
Georgia’s former government annulled visas for Russian tourists in 2011 however Russia maintained its complicated procedures, until now.
Today the Russian Foreign Ministry said it was "determined” to continue to take steps to alleviate the conditions of communication between the citizens of the two nations.
This action by Russia comes only days after the European Commission released its positive visa liberalisation progress report for Georgia, which leads the way to EU visa-free travel for Georgian citizens.
On December 17 – one day before the EU report was due to be released – Russian president Vladimir Putin said: "Yes, I think we are ready to cancel the visa regime with Georgia."
Georgia's Prime Minister said before the Russia's Foreign Ministry statement that it would be a step in the right direction. Photo by the Prime Minister's webpage.
While responding to the news today, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said this action by Russia was a "step in the right direction.”
"Equally important are the interests of our many compatriots living in Russia - business people and other citizens – who have a stake in simplified visa procedures. For them it is important to have as many obstacles removed as possible regarding travel between the two countries,” said the Georgian official.
"We are aware of the statement issued today by the Russian Federation regarding the possible annulment of visa requirements for Georgian nationals. I believe it is a step in the right direction,” said Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
Eminent Polish historian, journalist and activist Adam Michnik believes the current Government’s policy towards Russia is "sensible” and the country is on a positive path.
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Georgia’s Special Representative to Russia Zurab Abashidze met with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin in Prague, Czech Republic yesterday.
Special representative of Georgia’s Prime Minister for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze believes Georgian-Russian informal dialogue is the only communication channel with Russia and it should continue.
Relaxation of Russia’s draconian visa regime for Georgian citizens is a "step in the right direction”, say Tbilisi officials. Yesterday Russia announced it would relax its visa rules for Georgian citizens and the new rules came into force today, confirmed Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that it is not holding any negotiations with Russia’s official state bodies over visa-related issues. As a reason the Georgian Ministry said that two countries have no diplomatic relations.
The Georgian National Tourism Administration is continuing to raise awareness of Georgia and its beautiful scenery to increase the flow of tourists to the country.
Georgia’s Special Envoy to Russia Zurab Abashidze says the Russian government is working to simplify visas for Georgian citizens. He spoke this news after meeting with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin in Prague, Czech Republic yesterday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the return of the visa-free regime with Russia for Georgian citizens is possible.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin says that the Russian government was ready to abolish visa requirements for Georgia. However, the protests in Tbilisi, which were sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament, postponed the possibility, he said.