Deputy Georgian Interior Minister, Belgian State Secretary highlight procedures, need for accurate information on EU/Schengen visa-free travel for Georgian citizens

Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze and Nicole de Moor, the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration of Belgium, on Monday noted the need for continued cooperation for honing procedures related to visa-free travel to European Union/Schengen Area for Georgian citizens, as well as for ensuring accurate information against “fake news” over the matter.

The two officials reviewed cooperation and challenges emerging since the launch of the visa-free travel for Georgian nationals, as well as measures undertaken by the Government of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal affairs in response to them, the Ministry's press office said.

Darakhvelidze noted over a million Georgian citizens had benefited from the visa-free travel since its inception, making more than 1.5 million visits to European countries. He noted breaches on terms of stay or unfounded asylum applications among the Georgian nationals were an “exception”, adding an “absolute majority” of them adhered to rules of the system.

Photo: Interior Ministry's Press Office.

He also noted the Georgian Government had “completely updated” its legislation to ensure its compliance with European standards and a fair policy towards asylum seekers. The Georgian official also said the Ministry had developed plans together with the State Secretary for cooperation to ensure a “significant reduction” in cases of violation of the deadlines and number of unfounded requests for asylum.

De Moor said her country was glad to open doors to “every Georgian” seeking to study or work in Belgium, highlighting specific related procedures “more clearly” and saying she had noticed “fake news” over migration from Georgia to Belgium. The Belgian official noted it was of “utmost importance” that Georgian nationals have “correct information” on legal migration to the country in order to “avoid unpleasant surprises” on arrival.

The parties also highlighted the significance of their “successful and fruitful” law enforcement cooperation, with Darakhvelidze emphasising the political and practical importance of visa-free travel in the process of Georgia’s European integration path. On her part, de Moor thanked the Georgian side and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri for “effective cooperation” over migration issues.