Georgian top officials, clerics, emphasise the role of diaspora in Georgia-EU visa free deal
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Georgian Prime Minister and President, as well as the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II have emphasised the role of the Georgian diaspora in the maintenance of the EU-Georgia visa free deal, “one of the biggest achievements of the country,” at the diaspora forum held in Tbilisi earlier today.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze thanked the Georgian diaspora for their “huge contribution and devotion” and requested them to also stand around the “national idea of education.
Human capital and an educated generation will lead us to a united and stronger Georgia,” Bakhtadze said.
Our diaspora is Georgia’s strength and one of its most important resources. A strong diaspora is necessary for a united Georgia. Celebrating Georgia’s Diaspora Day today, I spoke with representatives of Georgian communities from across the world. pic.twitter.com/c8apWFYwRT
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) May 27, 2019
President Salome Zurabishvili said that those who violate the EU-Georgia visa free rules harm Georgians who want to familiarise themselves with European culture and also the country’s image.
You, emigrants, are able to spread the message to prevent violations,” Zurabishvili said.
Ilia II stated that the activities of the Georgian diaspora have a big influence on the visa waiver.
He said that the Georgian government should do its utmost to “eradicate the issues” which might create threats to the visa free regime and urged the authorities to take steps which will allow emigrants return to the homeland.
The Georgia-EU visa waiver came into play on March 28, 2017.
Georgian citizens holding biometric passports can travel to the EU’s Schengen Zone for a period of 90 days within any 180-day period for purposes other than working.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has voiced several programmes which aim to boost the engagement of Georgian emigrants in the country’s everyday life and help them retain close ties with their native country.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, currently on her first official trip in Brussels, has stated that the Georgian diaspora should have a representative in the Georgian parliament, which will increase the involvement of Georgians living abroad in the country’s internal issues.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and the Georgian delegation have met with Georgian diaspora in Brussels late yesterday and familiarised them with the initiatives offered by the Georgian government in support of Georgians living abroad.
12 outstanding citizens have been awarded today for their special contribution to the development of the Georgian diaspora abroad.
A delegation of top Georgian clerics have stated in Brussels that NATO and the EU are the “firm choice” of the Georgian people and urged the international community to help Georgia peacefully settle its conflicts with Russia.
Biometric passports will be available for Georgian citizens residing abroad at half price, while ID cards - for free during the Georgian Diaspora Days between May 24 and June 7.
“The Georgian diaspora needs political representation. I call on the entire Georgian society to unite around the idea, so that our [Georgian] diaspora can gain its own voice and right to represent its own interests in parliament”, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said in a video address at the Diaspora Forum dedicated to Diaspora Day.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has met with members of the Georgian diaspora in Vienna during her recent visit to Austria, where she stated that culture is one of Georgia’s key resources and it needs to be popularised.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday came forward with an initiative of allowing citizens of the country living abroad to vote electronically in national elections.
Georgian capital Tbilisi has hosted the local economic development forum Sustainable Economic Recovery, with deputy minister of foreign affairs Vladimir Konstantinidi addressing the event on the importance of the involvement of Georgian diaspora in the country's economic development.
Select members of the Georgian diaspora abroad were on Friday awarded for promoting the country’s culture abroad and contributing to public diplomacy and economic development.