EU Likely to Delay Georgia’s Visa Waiver Regime until January 2017

BRUSSELS – The European Union will likely delay a visa-free regime for Georgia and Ukraine until January 2017, Radio Free Europe’s Brussels Reporter Rikard Jozwiak posted on his Twitter account.

Jozwiak said EU diplomats still expect a final decision from the European Council on visa liberalization for Georgia and Ukraine in October, but will not come into force until after the new year.

EU diplomats still expect a final decision in EP/Council on visa lib for #Georgia & #Ukraine in Oct with visa free travel on 1 Jan 2017

— Rikard Jozwiak (@RikardJozwiak) August 23, 2016

During an official visit to Georgia, the EU’s Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said Europe’s current economic downturn and ongoing refugee crisis would not alter Brussels’ support for Georgia and Ukraine’s drive towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

“I believe it will be possible for Georgia to receive visa liberalization by the beginning of October. We will do everything to achieve this. Now it’s up to the EU to fulfil its end of the bargain. If necessary, I am personally ready to do everything possible to help,” Hahn said, before adding that the Europe is committed to supporting Georgia’s drive to join both the EU and NATO.

More than 3 million Georgian citizens were expecting to receive visa-free travel to the EU’s Schengen Zone early this summer, but 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.

The visa waiver regime allows easier access - but not the right to work - for up to 90 days in the Schengen Zone of most EU states and several non-EU members.

By Tamar Svanidze
Edited by Nicholas Waller