Georgia’s Parliament Speaker in Germany:
Georgia-EU visa-free talks should end successfully before October elections

Georgia’s Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili says all conditions have been met so talks about Georgia’s visa-free travel to the Schengen zone should end successfully before the Parliamentary Elections are held on October 8, 2016.

Usupashvili made this comment after meeting with high officials in Germany including President of the Bundestag (Germany’s national parliament) Norbert Lammert, Berlin State Parliament President Ralf Wieland and the Adviser to the Federal Chancellor on Foreign and Security Issues Christoph Heusgen.

I can state with full responsibility that at the meetings with various leading German politicians, they assured us that all the issues will be solved for the benefit of Georgia and the Georgian people and it will leave no questions either in Germany or in any other countries … Georgia has done everything it can for successful accomplishment of its visa liberalisation process with the EU,” Usupashvili said after meeting Lammert.

Georgia's Parliament Speaker and the President of the Bundestag  Norbert Lammert. Photo by Parliament of Georgia. 

We have reached all the conditions for successfully achieving visa liberalisation,” he added.

When Mr Lammert was asked about the declared position of Germany, he said visa liberalisation for Georgia should be solved before the October elections and he said EU member states Interior Ministers will discuss Georgia’s visa liberalisation on June 10.

Meanwhile Usupashvili again stressed Georgia had implemented all its obligations and now the decision was with the EU. Lammert would not give a concrete date but said a decision would be made before the October elections.

In December 2015 the European Commission said Georgia had fulfilled all the requirements for its citizens to be allowed to travel without visas in the EU passport-free Schengen zone. 

The final decision now lies with the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Parliament. 

Several days ago Germany opposed Georgia’s bid for visa-free travel, citing the current migrant crisis and crimes committed by Georgians in the country as major reasons for their opposition.

Usupashvili is on a three-day business trip to Germany and is being accompanied by a delegation representing Parliament of Georgia. He is due to complete his business trip tomorrow.