EU Officials Say Georgia Deserves Visa-Free Regime
BRUSSELS- European Union officials on Tuesday reiterated their support for Georgia’s visa-free regime only days after the bloc announced they would indefinitely delay their decision on implementing a visa liberalization regime for the South Caucasus nation of 3.7 million.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili arrived in Brussels Tuesday to meet with EU officials to discuss the current situation over Georgia’s visa regime.
EU officials abruptly announced late last week that the 28-member union would halt all moves towards granting visa-free travel to Georgian citizens until Tbilisi provides legally binding guarantees over migration issues.
Georgian authorities have tried to remain positive since the announcement and are looking forward to a possible final decision when time Georgian and European ministers meet in Luxembourg on June 9-10.
Margvelashvili met with European Parliament President Martin Schulz on Tuesday to discuss additional measures that Georgia and the EU can bet take regarding the visa issue.
"The EU’s support was essential in order for (Georgia) to carry out the key crucial reforms of the European integration package. We hope that the European Parliament will take further steps towards contributing to Georgia’s political association and economic integration with the EU", Margvelashvili said.
Margvelashvili was quick to note that Georgia had successfully carried out all of the visa liberalization action plan requirements that Brussels has demanded.
"Today we need support from the EU when it comes to the visa liberalization process. We will be grateful if you personally get involved in the negotiations and facilitate a proper and quick decision in the European Parliament", Margvelashvili said.
On his official Twitter account, Schultz reiterated his belief that Georgia had fulfilled all of Brussels’ criteria for visa liberalization.
#Georgia fulfilled all criteria for #visa liberalisation - should now be treated without delay
— EP President (@EP_President) June 7, 2016
After a heated debate Monday, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee announced that Georgia’s visa liberalization process should not be connected to other ongoing visa discussions with Turkey, Ukraine and Kosovo.
The committee, however, did say that Georgia must ensure a smooth preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 8 before the EU makes a final decision on visa-free travel.
More than 3 million Georgian citizens expected visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen zone beginning earl this summer. However, after Germany suddenly backtracked on its previous support, the EU is now making it easier to suspend visa waivers for countries wishing to move closer towards European integration.
According to reports, Berlin is growing increasingly sceptical when dealing with Tbilisi after German authorities claimed that major players in Germany’s organized crime world trace their roots to Georgia.
Related story: Visa Free Travel with EU: Green Light to Georgia, but not for Unlimited Travel
The Reuters news agency reported last week, based on an unnamed EU diplomat, that Germany led a last-minute opposition push to halt talks on granting easier travel requirements for Georgian passport holders.
The visa waiver regime allows easier access - but not the right to work - for up to 90 days in Europe’s Schengen Zone, which comprises most EU states and several non-EU members.
By Tamar Svanidze
Edited by Nicholas Waller
Photo: New Europe