The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Grigol Vashadze met EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ms. Cecilia Malmström during his visit in Brussels on June 4, 2012. As a result of the meeting the EU-Georgia Dialogue on visa liberalization was officially launched.

Opening of the Visa Dialogue is based on the decision voiced at the EU-Georgia Cooperation Council in December 2011. According to the council`s decision the visit of an expert mission to Georgia took place on March 12-14, 2012. The expert mission positively assessed the readiness of Georgia to start the visa dialogue with the EU.

The establishment of visa-free travel regime with the EU marks a significant political milestone in the EU-Georgian relations and is of a great importance for citizens of Georgia.

It should be mentioned that the successful and effective implementation of EU-Georgia Visa Facilitation and Readmission agreements (entered into force on 1st march 2011) was an essential precondition for opening of the Visa Dialogue with Georgia. The implementation process of these agreements was positively assessed at the joint committees, as well as at the "Eastern Partnership" Summit (Warsaw, 2011) and EU-Georgia Cooperation Council in 2011.

Furthermore, a number of actions and reforms were carried out by Georgia, in order to support the successful and effective visa liberalization process with the EU.

In accordance with the established procedures, the next step foresees the elaboration of the relevant Action Plan, which will be officially presented to the Georgian side, during the forthcoming visit of Commissioner Malmström to Georgia planned in autumn 2012.

The Action Plan will define the further actions to be taken by Georgia according to the 4 standard blocks (document security; irregular migration; public order and security; external relations and fundamental rights). The successful implementation of the Action plan will lead to the establishment of visa-free regime between EU and Georgia.

4 June 2012

Press and Information Department