PM Kvirikashvili: EU Doors Open for Georgia
Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili congratulated Georgians on signing a regulation on visa liberalization for Georgians, allowing its citizens to travel to the European Union (EU) for a period of 90 days stay in any 180-day period.
The document was signed on March 1st in Brussels by the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and the Parliamentary Secretary of Malta, EU Council Presidency holder country, Chris Agius.
The regulation enabling Georgia's citizens to travel visa-free in the EU/Schengen Area will be published in the official magazine of the EU on March 8th, and then after 20 days the citizens of Georgia will be able to enjoy short-term visa-free travel to EU/Schengen Area member states.
The signing ceremony was attended by Georgia’s Prime Minister Kvirikashvili, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, European Parliament member Mariya Gabriel, who is a rapporteur on visa liberalization for Georgia, and other officials from both Georgia and the EU.
“Georgia has been, and will always be, a reliable partner of the European Union on its eastern flank, a vitally important area for EU security,” Kvirikashvili stated during his meeting with President Tajani after the signing ceremony.
The head of the Georgian government congratulated Tajani on his election as President of the European Parliament and invited him to Georgia.
During the meeting at the European Parliament, the parties discussed Georgia's ongoing reforms, the state of affairs in Georgia's occupied territories, and relevant challenges.
The Prime Minister of Georgia and the President of the European Parliament pointed out the challenges facing anti-terrorism efforts and emphasized the importance of joining forces in this process. Moreover, Kvirikashvili said the lifting of visa requirements for Georgians is an expression of political support of the European Union towards Georgia.
"Today, the European Union’s doors have opened to Georgians. This is not only a step towards Euro-integration but a tremendous achievement,” the PM told reporters.
Kvirikashvili thanked all the friends of Georgia at the European Parliament, European Council and Commission, as well as his colleagues and the Georgian citizens for their support in implementing important reforms in the country.
“We need to continue implementing reforms to become a full member of the European family[…]We will surely achieve this with the help of the population of Georgia,” the PM said.
The European Parliament voted in favor of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to the Schengen Area at a plenary session on February 2nd.
From the end of March, when the process is completed, Georgians who hold biometric passports will be able to enter the Schengen Area, which includes 22 EU member states (excluding Ireland, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria) in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, for 90 days within any 180-day period for a holiday, business, or any other purpose except work.
By Thea Morrison