Georgia to Celebrate Visa-Liberalization Entry

TBILISI – Georgia’s Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, has announced that special festive events will be arranged throughout the country to celebrate the policy of visa-free travel to the European Union, which will begin on March 28.

“As you know, the EU has finalized all relevant legal procedures. We will hold special events on March 26, 27, and 28, to celebrate this achievement throughout the country and to thank our partners," the PM said. Kvirikashvili also added that on March 28 he will leave the country for Athens and Brussels with Georgian students.

“On March 28, in the company of students, I will travel to Athens—an ancient capital of European civilization—followed by Brussels—Europe's political capital—to celebrate visa waiver for Georgia, a crucially important event,” he said.

The PM also called on the Georgians to follow the visa-free requirements and not to violate the dates. Kvirikashvili said that a special application will be installed at the border checkpoints, which will automatically notify the Ministries of Justice and Interior in case of violations. “We will notify the EU member states and launch a proactive search of non-returnees to ensure the activation of readmission procedures. Of course, all expenses will be covered by the state. In due course, however, the violator will be fined to cover the cost," the PM said.

After the visa-free policy is enacted, all Georgians holding 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 vacation, business, or any other purpose except work.

By Thea Morrison