Steinmeier: “I am a big supporter of Georgia’s EU visa liberalistaion”

Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is a big supporter of Georgia being offered visa-free travel to the European Union (EU) and is praising the country for its big achievements as it moves towards Euro-Atlantic integration. 

The German top official voiced these words yesterday afternoon after he met Georgian high officials in Berlin at an event dedicated to Georgia’s 25th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union. 

The reception, organised and hosted by Georgia’s Embassy to Germany in capital Berlin, came after a face-to-face meeting between Steinmeier and Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

I am a big supporter of Georgia’s visa liberalisation to the EU. I understand well that citizens of Georgia want visa-free travel, as the country has fulfilled all its obligations to gain this opportunity,” Steinmeier said. 

I am confident and I strongly believe that we will come to a decision that’s beneficial for the people of Germany and Georgia,” he added. 

The reception was organised and hosted by Georgia’s Embassy to Germany. Photo by Prime Minister's webpage. 

The German Foreign Minister said the last two weeks had been dedicated to intense dialogue between Georgian and German officials to resolve all the issues Germany had about Georgia’s visa liberalisation. 

Initially Germany was one of three countries that blocked Georgia’s visa-free travel bid. Georgia’s Prime Minister and a high level delegation travelled to Germany to meet with German officials and discuss the issues relating to Georgia’s visa waiver.

Meanwhile after meeting PM Kvirikashvili yesterday Steinmeier said Georgia should be proud of its history, independence and democratic reforms. 

I believe Georgia and Georgians can be proud of their independence, their centuries-old language, literature and art traditions, as well as those ambitions and democratic reforms Georgia managed to carry out as the country strived to Europe. 

I want to state that Germany has always supported and will support Georgia’s European integration,” Steinmeier stressed. 

Germany was one of the first countries to recognise Georgia’s independence in 1992, and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili thanked Steinmeier and the German nation for supporting Georgia’s development and territorial integrity. 

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili thanked Steinmeier and German nation for their continued support to Georgia. Photo by Prime Minister's webpage. 

At the face-to-face meeting the sides agreed Steinmeier would visit Georgia in early July. It was also agreed 2017 would be the Year of Georgia-Germany Friendship. 

Kvirikashvili spent two days in Germany on an official visit. While abroad he attended various high-level meetings, including with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. 

The Georgian PM’s trip came shortly after Germany, France and Belgium’s last-minute block of Georgia’s visa-free travel to the EU, despite the European Commission confirming Georgia had fulfilled all its obligations to be awarded visa-free travel. 

Foreign media reported the reason Germany refused Georgia was due to the current migrant crisis and crime rate, mainly robberies and burglaries, committed by Georgian nationals in Germany. 

Meanwhile the discussion about Georgia visa liberalistaion within the Council of Europe and European Parliament was scheduled to continue in September.