Gov’t to remove “artificial barriers” to granting passports to diaspora abroad - PM
Garibashvili also raised the prospect of diaspora members obtaining Georgian passports for the same fee as one requested for the procedure in Georgia. Photo: Government's Administration.
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The Government will remove “all artificial barriers” to enable representatives of the Georgian diaspora to easily receive passports, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Friday at a forum dedicated to Diaspora Day.
Garibashvili told the Forum the Justice Ministry had started working on a bill to simplify the granting of Georgian passports to members of diaspora abroad, with the legislative change to be submitted to the Parliament in September.
There are a number of “small unresolved issues,” solving which would “greatly simplify” the passport procedure for the diaspora, the PM said.
Garibashvili also raised the prospect of diaspora members obtaining Georgian passports for the same fee as one requested for the procedure in Georgia.
The Forum, which holds thematic meetings on education, culture, economic development and digital diplomacy, was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the official part of the event opened by Minister Ilia Darchiashvili.
Photo: Government's Administration.
Those delivering addresses at the event also included President Salome Zourabichvili, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Beka Odisharia, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Diaspora and Caucasus Affairs. An address by the Georgian Orthodox Church Patriarch to the diaspora was also read to those in attendance.
The Diaspora Forum is held annually with the aim of deepening cooperation with compatriots living abroad, ensuring their connection with the homeland, their active involvement in the process of rebuilding the country and finding ways to solve the problems facing the Diaspora, the Government’s press office said.
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.
“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.
12 outstanding citizens have been awarded today for their special contribution to the development of the Georgian diaspora abroad.
Deserving children living along the occupation line are enjoying the festive season and opening New Year gifts sent by young Georgian diaspora living in the United States (US).
Officials and professionals in Tbilisi discussed the importance of diaspora in promoting Georgian culture abroad in a forum dedicated to cultural diplomacy, digital diaspora and more on Saturday, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Georgian diaspora communities took the “special responsibility” of caring for their compatriots during the Covid-19 pandemic, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Thursday at the ceremony for the Successful Emigrants Award.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, on Saturday, said President Salome Zourabichvili’s criticism towards the entire Government for the past two days, “in such a peaceful period” in the country, was “another clear example and confirmation” of democracy.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Saturday said the Government, authorities and church needed to be “more involved” with the Georgian Diaspora abroad.