Georgia should join Schengen Area, recommend European Parliament members

Members of the European Parliament have voiced a recommendation to let Georgia join the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders.

The recommendation of letting Georgia in the Area is included in a report on the Eastern Partnership prepared by the European Parliament, says the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB).

In her interview with the GPB, Laima Andrikiene, a Lithuanian politician and member of the European Parliament who is a rapporteur on the Eastern Partnership report, said that the Parliament gives a recommendation to integrate the Eastern Partnership countries into the Schengen Area.

"Of course, this will take time and during this time Georgia will have to introduce new laws and bring its legislation closer to European standards. But I think that eventually Georgia will become a member of the Schengen Area. Everything is dependant on your desire, efforts and reforms. This can happen in 10 years or sooner”, Andrikiene told the GPB.

She added that Georgia should continue its process of reforming in order to be able to engage in other EU programs and initiatives too, including the European Union Customs Union.

The first hearing of the European Parliament’s recommendations is scheduled for September 14 in Strasbourg.