Ireland Adds Georgia to List of Safe Countries

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has said that Ireland has added Georgia to the list of safe countries, which means that Georgian citizens will not be granted asylum there.

“From now on, Ireland will use an accelerated procedure for consideration of asylum applications filed by Georgian citizens,” the ministry stated.

The MFA underlined this decision once again demonstrates the recognition of the protection of fundamental human rights through democratic reforms by western partners in Georgia.

Ireland is the ninth of 12 countries in the EU/Schengen area to have granted Georgia the status of safe country. These countries are: Luxemburg, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Bulgaria, Lichtenstein, Austria and Iceland.

Ireland made its decision on April 16.

By Thea Morrison