Kvirikashvili Meets EU Officials in Brussels

BRUSSELS – As part of the celebration of Georgia’s visa-free regime activation, the Georgian Prime Minister met the President of the European Union Council, Donald Tusk, in Brussels. Tusk congratulated the Georgian PM on the launch of visa-free travel to EU/Schengen Area member states, and expressed hope that Georgia will remain determined to achieve the goals defined in the European integration agenda. Kvirikashvili thanked the EU Council President for his personal contribution to Georgia's visa liberalization and congratulated him on his reelection as President of the European Council. The Georgian PM stated that visa liberalization is a strong incentive for further achievements towards EU integration, and Georgia will make full use of the opportunities offered by EU political association and economic integration.

After the face-to-face meeting, the officials held a joint press conference. During the press conference, Tusk emphasized the importance of closer diplomatic relations between Georgia and the EU. “This is a historic day for all of us, especially for the Georgian people, who will benefit from visa-free travel in the Schengen zone. This is a very important step in strengthening relations between Georgia and the EU,” the President of the European Union Council said.

Kvirikashvili said that visa-liberalization motivated the Georgian government to implement serious reforms in the country. “We believe in our European future, and we are committed to continue our further development towards the relationship with the EU in order to implement our ambitious plan,” he said.

We are there. Celebrating #VisaFree travel for Georgia and a united Europe that delivers with PM @KvirikashviliGi: https://t.co/S5obuWLHjg pic.twitter.com/fntDWW4ZXu

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) March 28, 2017

The Georgian PM also met the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and thanked him for his role in the process of visa liberalization. Kvirikashvili underlined that Georgia has taken a giant step toward returning to the European family, while the EU has showed that the European choice brings tangible results, and that the EU does come through on its promises. Steps planned by the Government of Georgia to avoid violations of the new policy by Georgian citizens and to prevent growing numbers of illegal migrants and asylum seekers were also discussed at the meeting.

"Prime Minister, welcome to Brussels on this historic day for the people of Georgia and the European Union. Georgian citizens can now enter the EU visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period: for tourism, family visits, or business. This was made possible thanks to the ambitious and complex reform path undertaken by the Georgian Government and the Georgian people," the President of the European Commission stated at a joint press conference.

Kvirikashvili noted that the Association Agreement is the main guiding legal framework that paves the way toward ever-closer relations with the EU, and its full application is a top priority of the Government. “We look forward to more intensive cooperation and dialogue with the Commission at all levels to achieve core milestones across all sectors. We value the EU's solid support of our reform endeavors," the Georgian PM said.

By Thea Morrison