16:00, 21 May 2011

Georgia simplifies visa regime for five countries

On May 20, the Parliament of Georgia amended the Law "On Legal Status of Foreigners" and introduced a simplified visa regime for five countries. At entering Georgia for up to 360 days, visas are cancelled for citizens of Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Iraq.

The Georgian government has explained that the decision took account of the fact that Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia are on the list of candidates to the European Union; Albania is a member of the NATO, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro received the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP), the "Georgia Online" reports.

"Georgia has introduced the visa-free regime with its strategic partners, who can positively influence the development of the country," the "News-Georgia" quotes Giya Khuroshvili, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Government of Georgia.

"Georgia sees no danger from introduction of visa-free regime with a number of countries," said Nino Kalandadze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, and added that it was the Foreign Ministry's initiative.