EU To Liberalise Visa Regime for Georgians

The member-states of the EU reached an agreement in principle on Wednesday to give Georgians the opportunity for visa-free travel but postponed the implementation of the programme until stronger guarantees against a sudden migrant influx are negotiated, reported Reuters.

The decision reflects increased anxiety in the EU over immigration after the arrival of nearly 1,300,000 refugees and migrants last year.

The EU is holding negotiations on the liberalisation of the restrictions on travel of Georgian citizens as recognition of democratic progress in Georgia.

Germany, however, blocked visa liberalisation in June by asking the EU to first tighten the rules in this field in order to deal with a possible drastic increase in the number of arriving people.

Berlin opposes the liberalisation of the visa-regime claiming that most of the organised crime in Germany is perpetrated by Georgian gangs. The liberalisation of the visa regime allows for 90-day trips in the Schengen area but does not grant the right to work to citizens of third countries.

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