Georgian PM thanks EU Parliament for supporting visa-free travel
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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.
Thank you EP @Europarl_EN 4 voting 4 #Georgia’s #VisaLiberalization
— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) 2 February 2017
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.
Great news for #Georgia: #EP has adopted w/ overwhelming majority #visafree travel for citizens of #Georgia@EPPGroup@Avramopoulospic.twitter.com/OT6VHH7QXe
— Mariya Gabriel (@GabrielMariya) 2 February 2017
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”.
European Parliament approves visa-free travel for Georgian citizens
Today is the final stretch of a long marathon Georgia has been running for years: starting in spring, Georgian citizens will be able to travel visa-free to most countries of the European Union.
Debates on visa waiver for Georgia come to an end
Georgia is waiting for the results of a historic vote.
Final vote on visa waiver comes today
Today is the day Georgia has been awaiting for years. The European Parliament (EP) will decide tomorrow whether visa-free travel to the European Union (EU) for Georgians will be granted or not.
Green light for Georgia’s visa waiver
Today the European Parliament officially approved the rules of the Suspension Mechanism at its plenary session - the last thing standing in Georgia's way for visa liberalisation to the European Union.
As the European Parliament (EP) has given the decisive green light to visa-free travel for Georgia at today’s plenary session, European leaders congratulated Georgia with tweets.
Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Georgia Janos Herman congratulated Georgia on the historic show of support from the European Parliament (EP) in abolishing visa-requirements for Georgian citizens.
"More welfare, democracy, energy and enthusiasm....more success for our country on its rapid road to development!” – this is how Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili described the benefits Georgia is expected to receive from visa-free travel with the European Union today.
The cancellation of visa requirements for Georgian citizens is a natural extension of the ongoing development processes in Georgia, says Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has congratulated European Parliamentarian Mariya Gabriel on being elected as the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society.