2016-02-10
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited Brussels on February 9-10. The visit started with the meeting with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, following which Giorgi Kvirikashvili and the President of the European Council made joint statements for the press.
Donald Tusk congratulated Georgia on reforms implemented within the frames of visa liberalization process and emphasized that Georgia fulfilled all undertakings prescribed by the relevant Action Plan. Pursuant to him, successful finalization of process depended on the Council of European Union and the European Parliament.
"The Visa Liberalization Action Plan has definitely served to accelerate the reform process. As the technical requirements have been fully met, we hope that the visa-free regime will be shortly introduced for the citizens of Georgia," - Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted. Pursuant to the head of the Government, this achievement will be a strong demonstration for Georgia and other partners that the European choice delivers concrete results.
Following his meeting with the President of the European Council, Georgian Prime Minister was hosted by the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos and Commissioner for ENP and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hann.
After the meeting Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Johannes Hann and Dimitris Avramopoulos made joint statements.
"Timely finalization of the visa liberalization process is one of the top issues on our agenda. Georgia has successfully fulfilled all technical requirements and now we look forward to the visa-free regime with the EU in the near future," - Giorgi Kvirikashvi reiterated in his address to the press.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted that the Government will ensure holding of elections in transparent and free environment, freedom of media, the persistent reform of judiciary and engagement of civic society.
European Commissioner Johannes Hann described his meeting with Giorgi Kvirikashvili as productive and friendly.
As it was noted by the Commissioner, Georgia has achieved remarkable success in the process of implementation of the visa liberalization Action Plan and final decision is vested upon the European Parliament.
We are close to the final decision - respective statement was made by European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos.
"European Commission is preparing to submit relevant legislative proposal to the European parliament and member states. Final political decision is up to the European Council and European parliament. This may occur in summer or even earlier" - Commissioner Avramopoulos noted.
Within the frames of the visit meetings with the EU Commissioner of Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos, Climate and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, Vice-President of the European Commission - Commissioner for Energy Union Marosh Shevchovich and Special representative of the EU to Georgia Herbert Salber were held.
The delegation headed by the Prime Minister encompassed Mikheil Janelidze, the Foreign Minister and State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro- Atlantic Integration David Bakradze.
Prime Minister's Press Office