Georgia to receive visa-free access after consensus from European institutions
Today, EU Permanent Representatives approved the agreement with the European Parliament on visa liberalisation for Georgia. It confirms that “the entry into force of visa liberalisation for Georgia should be at the same time as the entry into force of the new “suspension mechanism”, and quotes the Slovak Minister for the Interior praising Georgia by saying that “The Presidency believes that the path of credible reforms is the right one and should be encouraged”.
Last week, EU entities agreed on the suspension mechanism involved in visa-free travel for Georgina citizens, the new policy’s last obstacle on the way to passage and implementation. “We are entering the final phase towards visa exemption for Georgian citizens,” noted the EU Parliament rapporteur. “It was extremely important to reach a deal today, to move forward in parallel with the revision of the suspension mechanism and to be ready for a simultaneous entry into force. I am glad that the Council backed our commitment to deliver as soon as possible. At the end of the day we must keep in mind that this is for Georgian citizens to come closer to the European Union — in terms of mobility as well as in terms of political path.”
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili paid his first visit to Brussels in the beginning of December after being re-appointed as head of the new government in the October Parliamentary elections. The visit reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to European integration and underlined the importance of relaxed travel restrictions for Georgian citizens, in recognition of Georgia’s democratic advances. At a news conference in Brussels, after talks on broadening EU-Georgia trade and cooperation, Prime Minister Kvirikashvili spoke about the prospects of visa-free travel. “This is one of the key immediate material benefits and incentives for European integration which our citizens look forward to,” he said.
The initial agreement on Georgia’s visa liberalisation was reached by the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) on October 5th. The final obstacle was the European Parliament’s vote on the suspension mechanism regulation, which would apply to all existing visa liberalisation agreements.
On December 7th, the Coreper, on behalf of the Council, confirmed the compromise text agreed upon with the European Parliament regarding regulation that revises the suspension mechanism. The agreement was reached between the Council, Parliament and Commission on the same day.
“This agreement is balanced, and is extremely important for both the effectiveness and credibility of the union’s visa liberalisation policy,” said Minister for the Interior of Slovakia and President of the Council Robert Kaliňák. “The current suspension mechanism is not adequate and will now be improved. At the same time, the fact that we have reached an agreement should open the door to further progress on visa liberalisation talks with other countries that meet all the necessary requirements. By striking a deal today, the Slovak Presidency is delivering on one of its top priorities.”
The main objective of the revised regulation is to strengthen the suspension mechanism. It does so by:
· Making it easier for member states to notify circumstances which might lead to a suspension;
· Enabling the Commission to trigger the mechanism on its own initiative; and
· Tasking the Commission to send annual reports to the European Parliament and Council on the extent to which visa-exempt third countries continue to meet the necessary criteria.
With the European Council’s green light achieved, LIBE Committee of the European Parliament will vote on visa liberalisation for Georgia on January 12th, which should allow the vote in the Plenary of 16–19 January 2017. This is the final step before the country is granted the right to visa-free travel. Georgian citizens will be able to visit the 25 Schengen states (22 EU states plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) next year without a visa for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period. The same regulation applies to EU citizens travelling to Georgia.
“Let’s continue jointly moving toward Europe free, safe and at peace,” said Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze in recent remarks at the 8th Annual Assembly of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.
This message resonated with his European colleagues and will be realized with the final declaration expected next month.
More:
European Parliament: Georgia to get visa-free access to the EU, MEPs and Council negotiators agree
European Council: Visa suspension mechanism: Council confirms agreement with Parliament
Government of Georgia: III MEETING OF EU-GEORGIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL