Parliament Speaker says visa-free travel to China “emphasises attitude” of Chinese Gov’t toward Georgia
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said the Chinese Government’s introduction of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens “emphasises its attitude toward Georgia”. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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The Chinese Government’s introduction of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens “emphasises its attitude toward Georgia” and the strategic partnership between the countries, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Monday.
Papuashvili said the Georgian Government would welcome introduction of visa-free travel for Georgian nationals by other countries.
This is very important for our citizens. [...] [T]he strength of the Georgian passport is increasing year by year. Therefore, I call on all countries, especially our strategic partners, to introduce visa-free travel for Georgia. A total of 3.5 million people live in Georgia. I don't think there are so many of us that any country has any question marks toward us, and fears that there will be an excessive migration to one or another country”, he said.
The lawmaker also said visa-free travel with the European Union had “particular importance” for cultural connections and people-to-people ties, adding the EU’s opening of its borders to Georgian citizens in 2017 had led to closer ties with EU member state nationals “in all directions”.
When other countries take such a decision, it will further strengthen the relationship between countries and peoples. It also implies intensity of economic relations, when travel between countries is easy”, he said.
Earlier today Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the Chinese Government had made a decision to introduce visa-free travel to the country for Georgian citizens. Kobakhidze noted Georgian nationals would be able to stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday highlighted the ongoing visit of the party’s delegation to China as having a “great role” in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.
A delegation of the ruling Georgian Dream party led by its Chair Irakli Kobakhidze will on Monday hold “high-level” meetings in China, the party's press office said.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said the Chinese Government had made a decision to introduce visa-free travel to the country for Georgian citizens.
The “close relations” between Georgia and China, their elevation to strategic partnership last year, and future prospects of cooperation were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the Chinese Government’s introduction of visa-free travel for Georgian nationals would bring economic benefits and promote relations between the countries in the coming years.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Human Rights, on Tuesday said China was a “country of huge opportunities”, with visa-free travel for Georgian citizens leading to “new prospects” for them.
Maia Omiadze, the Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, on Tuesday said Chinese tourists were “very desirable” visitors worldwide, taking long journeys with substantial spending of money.
Tea Zakaradze, the General Manager of TAV Georgia, the company operating Tbilisi and Batumi airports, met with the representatives of major Asian airlines, such as Thai AirAsia X, Cathay Pacific, Scoot, Jeju Air and India Express, and discussed the launch of flights from Asia to Georgia.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, on Sunday highlighted the importance of Georgia’s strategic partnership with China for the matter of the country’s territorial integrity.
Irakli Chikovani, the Minister of Defence of Georgia, on Monday met Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to the country, to discuss strategic partnership.