Georgia and Israel sign visa free agreement

Georgias acting interior minister and incoming Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Israel Deputy Interior Minister, Faina Kirschenbaum signed the visa-free agreement on Monday.

According to the agreement, Georgian citizens will be allowed to stay in Israel without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in a six-month period.

"The agreement will not open a new era among two countries but I believe that it will foster bilateral cooperation. Visa free travel will develop the tourism and business sectors of the countries. The agreement is the proof of respect and trust among the countries, Faina Kirschenbaum said.

The agreement will enter into force after the document is ratified by legislative bodies of the countries.

Garibashvili believes that today they have signed the historical document that will make Georgia and Israel to become even closer friends. "Visa free agreement will enable the investors to conduct the cooperation. I know many Israeli-based investors who plan to enter the Georgian market, he noted.

The decision of lifting the visa regime for Georgia was announced at the Regional Ambassadorial in Tbilisi on 31 October by Israels Deputy Foreign Minister Ze'ev Elkin.

The discussion on lifting visa rules for the Georgian citizens was raised by PM Bidzina Ivanishvili when he visited Israel in June.

With Israel, Georgia had already unilaterally abolished visa regime.

At the signing ceremony in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the two countries representatives also signed the agreement on cooperating in fight against crime.