Steinmeier: “Question isn’t whether Georgia gets visa-free travel, question is when”
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Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is in Georgia to attend the opening ceremony of the annual Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA), which is taking place in Tbilisi from July 1-5.
Before the opening of the large-scaled event involving more than 700 guests, Steinmeier sat down with Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze.
At this morning’s meetings the German high official agreed Georgia had made "unprecedented efforts” to earn visa liberalisation with the European Union (EU) and he spoke positively of Georgia’s efforts to successfully implement its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan.
He added Georgia’s intentions to gain a visa waiver for the EU’s passport-free Schengen zone would be supported by Europe.
We know well there are huge expectations in Georgia about visa liberalisation. I want to highlight that Georgia has taken huge steps to gain this opportunity and it was a very long process.
I have stated and I will repeat that there is no question whether Georgia will get visa-free travel or not, the question is when this will happen,” Steinmeier said during a press conference with Janelidze after the pair met.
Happening now: Joint Press Conference by Foreign Ministers of #Georgia-#Germany at MFA Georgia pic.twitter.com/EGpIipjMCj
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) July 1, 2016
Steinmeier stressed an adoption of a restrictive mechanism for visa liberalisation was essential, which meant imposing restrictions or depriving a country of visa-free movement if the country or its citizens violated certain rules.
The issue is being discussed and I’m waiting for the process to be completed in the coming weeks,” Steinmeier added.
Georgian-German bilateral relations, Georgia’s European integration agenda and current regional situation were discussed by Kvirikashvili and Steinmeier at their meeting today.
The pair both said holding of the OSCE PA session in Tbilisi was one of the most important political events in the history of independent Georgia. Kvirikashvili and Steinmeier said the forum would "significantly empower Georgia’s role and potential on the world’s political map.”
About the October 8 Parliamentary Elections, Kvirikashvili told Steinmeier that Georgia had "seriously improved its pre-election standards” and the country was ready to hold very transparent and fair elections that were monitored by many international observers.
On a different note the two high officials condemned the recent terror attacks in Turkey and stressed the importance of regional stability.
Steinmeir was scheduled to leave Georgia later today.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is coming to Georgia today for a two-day visit in capital Tbilisi.
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.
Next year has been declared as a year celebrating the friendship of Germany and Georgia. The news was announced after Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier this afternoon in Berlin, Germany.
A visa liberalisation decision for Georgia will be taken in favour of the country in combination with a suspension mechanism, says German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel and Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met in Berlin this afternoon.
In the beginning of July Georgia will transform into a political hub as 700 guests from 57 member states of the world’s largest security organisation come to Tbilisi to discuss regional and global security, migration and human rights issues.
“Visa-free travel will signify EU’s strong support of Georgia”
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili says granting visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone for Georgia will be a signal of the European Union’s (EU) "strong support for Georgia” and "a huge stimulus” for the country to continue on its Euro-Atlantic path and strive to achieve more success in the future.
Officials discuss international challenges in Tbilisi
Today is the second day of the annual Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA), which is taking place in Tbilisi from July 1-5.
About 150 officials from all over the European Union (EU) involved in European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) have voted in favour of Georgia gaining visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone.
“I will do what I can“ for Georgia’s visa liberalisation
Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has declared his continued support for Georgia’s visa liberalisation with the European Union (EU) and hopes it will be finalised "soon", following his successful visit to Georgia.
European Union (EU) Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn is confident Georgia will be granted visa liberalisation later this year.
“This is a big step forward”
A German high official is congratulating Georgia on another milestone on its path towards gaining visa liberalisation allowing travel to the European Union (EU) without a visa.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has congratulated Frank-Walter Steinmeier on being elected the president of Germany.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will pay an official visit to Georgia on October 6, the Georgian president’s press office reports.
The German Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier will pay an official visit to Georgia later today. Steinmeier will travel to Georgia with his wife Elke Budenbender in the afternoon, his office reported.