Parliament official: visa-free travel with China will lead to “new prospects”
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. Photo: Parliament
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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.
Sarjveladze welcomed the prospect of launching cooperation in economy, sport, culture and education between the nations.
His comments came after the Chinese Government made a decision to introduce visa-free travel to the country for Georgian citizens on Monday.
Other Georgian officials also welcomed the decision, with Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili saying it would result in economic benefits in the coming years.
The Minister noted the “very important” decision made by the strategic partner state marked a continuation of an “important gesture” of the Georgian side in September last year to cancel short-term visa requirements for Chinese citizens.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Sunday stressed the importance of visa-free travel with China, and further noted the Government's “priority” was to have “as many partner countries as possible”.
Irakli Chikovani, the Minister of Defence of Georgia, on Monday met Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to the country, to discuss strategic partnership.