LIBE Committee Backs Georgian Visa-Free Scheme

The European Parliament Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) has declared its support for amendments to the text of Georgia’s visa liberalization agreement, agreed to and adopted by the EU Commission, the EU Parliament, and the Council of Europe.

Forty-two members of LIBE have supported the amendments, against only two votes opposed and one abstention. This latest formal show of support leaves only a few final steps before Georgia gains visa-free travel throughout the passport-free Schengen Zone.

A the same time, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe reached a political agreement on Tuesday over the visa liberalization scheme.

Following these developments, now it is for the European Parliament to make the final decision.

If Georgia’s visa liberalization is also approved by the European Parliament, the amended regulations will be formally approved by the EU Council at the ministerial level. After the President of the European Parliament and a representative of the country holding the EU presidency sign the amendment, the new regulations will be published in the official EU journal of law.

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the LIBE decision.

“This is one more step toward visa-free travel with the European Union… We hope the entire process will be completed soon,” the MFA said in a press release.

When the visa-free regime between Georgia and the EU goes into force, Georgian citizens will be able to enter the EU visa-free for 90 days during any 180-day period.

by Thea Morrison