Today is the day Georgia has been awaiting for years.
Today the European Parliament (EP) will decide whether visa-free travel to the European Union (EU) for Georgians will be granted or not.
A draft law giving Georgian citizens the right to travel to the EU without a visa will be put to a plenary vote in the EP today. If the law is supported, Georgian citizens who hold a biometric passport will be able to enter the Schengen zone for 90 days within any 180-day period for a holiday, business or any other purpose, except work.
Debate in #EPlenary on #Georgia visa waiver starting at 9h45. Follow live: https://t.co/OrPCrWDxqw Vote at 11.30 | @GabrielMariya
— LIBE Committee Press (@EP_Justice) 2 February 2017
The EU and Georgia are both optimistic of the outcome of today's vote.
Today is a truly historic day… today’s decision will be a very important confirmation of the EU’s strong political support for Georgia. I am sure the decision will be made in favour of Georgia. Today’s decision will prove that Georgia’s strategic approach to the EU will have been effective for all Georgian citizens... at the same time it is a big opportunity for all our citizens living in the occupied territories”, said Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili at today’s government meeting.
PM Kvirikashvili said he was sure Georgian citizens will meet this privilege with responsibility and will follow the laws of the countries where they travel.
European Parliament and Council negotiators struck a deal on the legislation last December. The visa waiver will enter into force on the same date as the visa suspension mechanism, which allows EU member states to temporarily reintroduce visa requirements for reasons of public security.
Georgia’s Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze is paying his first working visit to Brussels to attend the vote today.
If the result of today's vote is positive – and EP members have long been promising it will be – Georgian’s will travel to the EU visa-free as soon as March or April.