Georgia’s top diplomat in Strasbourg to advance Georgia’s EU visa waiver

UPDATED: 3.44pm

Georgia's Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze has concluded his meeting with European Union (EU) Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Strasbourg, France.

After the meeting Hahn went on Twitter to sum up the meeting.

Here is what he wrote.

Met with Foreign Minister of #Georgia, @JanelidzeMkh in #Strasbourg today. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/AohcsasxmX

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) September 13, 2016

Reassured him about continued #Commission support for #visaliberalisation for #Georgian citizens. 2/2

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) September 13, 2016

The Georgian top official met Mariya Gabriel too, European Parliament’s rapporteur for a visa waiver proposal for Georgia.

Constructive mtg wt @JanelidzeMkh on #visa liberalistion for #Georgia & thanked 4 the great coop pic.twitter.com/BuQCqQ9dK4

— Mariya Gabriel (@GabrielMariya) September 13, 2016

Progress in fulfilling #VLAP requirements needs 2 B treated without delay. @GabrielMariya thanks 4 your commitment pic.twitter.com/535DiHiDoy

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) September 13, 2016

EARLIER: 12.23pm

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze is heading to Strasbourg, France today to meet European Union (EU) and European Parliament (EP) officials and discuss the country’s visa liberalisation perspectives.

During his two-day visit Janelidze was scheduled to meet an EP Vice President and representatives of several fractions and committees. The Georgian Minister will also meet Mariya Gabriel, EP’s rapporteur for a visa waiver proposal for Georgia.

A meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn was also planned.

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said all the meetings would discuss Georgia’s visa liberalisation process.

Off to #Strasbourg to discuss #GEO - #EU Association agenda & #VLAP issues & cooperation w/ @Europarl_EN

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) September 13, 2016

Janelidze’s visit comes a week after the EP’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) backed plans to grant Georgian citizens the right to travel to the Schengen area without a visa.

The Committee voted and approved a visa waiver for Georgia with 44 votes in favour, five against and one abstention on September 6.

After the voting and the adoption of the regulation by LIBE, the amendment must now be approved by the Council of the EU then at an EP plenary session.

Once the European Parliament as a whole and the EU Council endorse the legislative changes, Georgians will be able to enter the EU without a visa and stay for 90 days in any 180-day period, provided they hold a biometric passport.

Georgia is interested in completing this process as soon as possible so its citizens can travel without a visa to the EU and the Schengen zone.