Jean-Claude Juncker: Visa waiver success for both Georgia and EU
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President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker says that March 28 was a great success for both Georgia and the European Union (EU).
Juncker met with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Brussels last night as part of the first visa-free journey of a Georgian delegation to the Schengen Zone.
Juncker believes that the successful visa liberalisation was the result of joint efforts from both Georgia and the European Union.
"Mister Prime Minister, welcome to Brussels on this historic day for the people of Georgia and the European Union. Georgian citizens can now enter the European Union visa-free for 90 days within a 180-day period, whether it be for tourism, family visit, or business. This was made possible thanks to the ambitious and complex reform path undertaken by the Georgian Government and the Georgian people," Juncker told Kvirikashvili as the pair spoke at a joint press conference.
LIVE NOW:Joint press point w/ President of the @EU_Commission Jean-Claude #Juncker 2/2 https://t.co/rAsFjtkI64
— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) March 28, 2017
Kvirikashvili referred to the launch of visa-free travel as a very important event for Georgians, including those in the occupied territories, and he hoped that the EU visa waiver would bring about tangible results and strengthen relationships.
Georgian flag was flying in front of the European Commission building in celebration of the EU visa waiver for Georgia yesterday. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Other topic discussed at yesterday’s meeting included the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA) and an economic cooperation deal within the AA, called Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).
Kvirikashvili said that the AA 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 Georgian government.
"We are further exploring the DCFTA opportunities to make Georgian products compatible and achieve more market openings; by introducing EU norms and standards we are increasing Georgia's attractiveness for foreign investments. The visa liberalisation is one of key instruments for expanding business links,” he said.
The regulation lifting visa requirements for Georgian citizens to most of the European countries came into force yesterday. In celebration of this historic day for Georgia, Prime Minister Kvirikashvili travelled to the Greek capital of Athens and the Belgian capital of Brussels together with successful Georgian students and scholars. This marked the first flight from Georgia to the EU whose passengers did not have to have EU visas in their passports.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk said today is a special day as visa free regime for Georgian citizens to the European Union (EU) has entered into force.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hosted his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Kvirikashvili, stating it was an honour for him that Greece had been chosen as his first visa-free destination.
Today is a day Georgians have awaited for years. A number of international leaders have taken to Twitter to share their happiness for Georgia. Some of them even issued a congratulatory video message in Georgian.
From now on, Georgian citizens no longer need a visa to travel to the Schengen Zone. The regulation lifting visa requirements for Georgians entered into effect today, Tuesday, March 28.
A large street banner has been installed near the Vilnius Airport to warmly greet first guests from Georgia who travel to Lithuania visa-free. The bilingual banner says in English and Georgian: "Closer than ever.”
Georgian citizens are being given an opportunity to travel to Montenegro without a visa from June 14 to October 31. The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced the news in a press release issued today.
The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker arrived to Georgia today to participate in the celebrations of the centennial of country’s first Democratic Republic on May 26.
This is the first visit of the high official to Georgia and he was invited by the Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. Tomorrow Juncker will deliver a speech at the main place for the celebrations, Freedom Square.
Jean-Claude Juncker delivered his speech at Freedom Square in Tbilisi today during a ceremony dedicated to the 100th anniversary celebration of the first democratic republic of Georgia. Standing in front of the Georgian soldiers he thanked Georgia for its ‘invaluable role’ in EU peace-keeping operations, serving noble causes.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has positively assessed progress made by Georgia on its way towards EU integration at a meeting with the Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze in New York yesterday.