2016-06-09
We continue to work very consistently in the direction of Visa Liberalization. Despite a number of challenges and some sensitive aspects, we hope that to complete the process before the elections, - Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted at the International Energy Security Conference. Giorgi Kvirikashvili participated in the discussion moderated by the senior fellow in the energy and national security program at the Center for International and Strategic Studies Edward C. Chow. Prime Minister noted that Georgia has fulfilled all conditions prescribed by the Visa Liberalization Action Plan.
"Georgia has fulfilled all requirements and completed its portion of work on all the technical aspects of Visa Liberalization Action Plan. We are in line with the requirement set forth by the European Commission. Therefore, last December our efforts were assessed positively. Now the process of consolidation and demonstration of support from the EU member states is ongoing. We hope that the European Parliament will support the decision of the visa-free travel for citizens of Georgia. Of course, we have discussions and talks with European leaders, but at the same time we understand the challenges Europe is facing including the issue of migrants and referenda ... We see ourselves as part of the European family, as we have always been part of European culture. We believe that Europe is our final destination. Issue of Visa Liberalization is really important in terms of increasing support to pro-Western forces among Georgians. We hope that the process will be completed in before October 8 when the parliamentary elections take place, but of course, relevant decision is up to the EU Member States, "- the Prime Minister indicated.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili thanked the EU ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman for his support in the process of Visa Liberalization. The Prime Minister also discussed foreign threats and the situation in the occupied territories. According to him, the main challenge faced by Georgia, is the country's occupied territories. "Two of the historical parts of Georgia South Ossetia and Abkhazia are occupied. There are quite a serious security and humanitarian issues, military actions are undertaken on the both territories, there are severe violations of human rights. Beyond the occupation lines ethnic Georgian population faces number of problems. They are denied the right to education in their mother tongue, their property lives are deprived and limited. Yesterday new signs were installed, the borderization process is ongoing, and we have ethnic Georgians, who are periodically captured and imprisoned by occupation forces who often ask for ransom. Nonetheless, nothing can change the fate of Georgia that has been determined by the people themselves. Never has the sovereign sentiment been as strong as it is today - in spite of all these challenges, our desire of consolidation and unification around these strategic objectives is very strong. I do not see any serious threat that will divert us from our Western strategic," - Prime Minister noted.
Prime Minister's Press Office