Georgian PM thanks EU Parliament for supporting visa-free travel

Prime Minister Kvirikashvili says today's decision will prove that Georgia's policy on drawing closer to the EU brings tangible results for every Georgian citizen. Photo by PM's press office
Agenda.ge, 02 Feb 2017 - 15:48, Tbilisi,Georgia

The Government of Georgia has sent their thanks to the European Parliament (EP) for supporting visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to the Schengen Area.

With 553 votes in favour, 66 against and 28 abstaining, EP approved visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to most countries of the European Union (EU) at a plenary session today.

Describing the event as a "truly historic day”, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said "today's decision will be an important demonstration of the EU's strong political support for Georgia”.

Today's decision will prove that Georgia's policy on drawing closer to the EU brings tangible results for every Georgian citizen. We are convinced that our citizens will show exceptional responsibility in accepting this milestone result and achievement, and will scrupulously observe the laws of host countries”, PM Kvirikashvili wrote on his official Facebook page.

He also said that today is a result of years of "tireless efforts”.

These efforts, however, continue, and we still have a long way to go in building a democratic Georgia, so that our country may become a truly European state and a full member of the Euro-Atlantic family. Ultimately, all this serves the cause of bettering the lives of Georgia's citizens. Thus, I congratulate you all! This huge success belongs to all of us”, he wrote.

"An important step towards Europe” – these are the words Georgia’s President used to describe today’s historic vote. Margvelashvili watched live coverage of the plenary voting with the representatives of diplomatic corps. Straight after the historic decision he thanked everyone who had been a part of this "important political achievement”.

At his first briefing after the "historic voting”, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze also congratulated Georgian citizens with this important victory.

Minister Janelidze said today’s vote has proved the reliability of the support Georgia has from the EU, and is a recognition of the efforts the Government of Georgia has invested in reforming the country.

Promising that the country would remain loyal to the road leading to European integration, Janelidze believes today’s voting has a the clear sign that the EU supports Georgia’s aspirations. However, the minister believes, this integration cannot be achieved without the public support.

Foreign Minister said today’s decision would positively reflect on each and every field in Georgia from culture to politics. Janelidze believes that all citizens will benefit from the visa-waiver, including those living in Russian-occupied territories.

EP member Mariya Gabriel, a rapporteur on Georgia’s visa liberalisation, said at the EP plenary session earlier today that this is not only a "historic day” for Georgia but for the EU as well, because "Europe should be surrounded by friends”.