Georgian, Armenian PMs sign deal to further simplify visa-free travel

Georgian and Armenian prime ministers on Thursday signed an agreement to further simplify the existing visa-free travel between the countries, making it possible for their nationals to cross the border using biometric identification cards. 

The decision came following the 12th meeting of the Intergovernmental Economic Commission - a body established between the states - that was co-chaired by Irakli Garibashvili and Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan.

• Georgian, Armenian PMs discuss cooperation, regional matters

Welcoming the agreement as “yet another step forward” in “further strengthening” the existing people-to-people and economic ties, the officials also stressed the importance of peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. 

In his comments, Garibashvili also pointed to the 70 percent increase in trade turnover between the two states between January and November of last year, with the figures making Armenia the sixth largest trade partner for his county. 

For his part, Pashinyan noted meetings of the Committee since 2019, “after a long pause”, as a way of further upgrading bilateral economic ties between the two governments.