Georgia simplifies visa procedure for Russian citizens

According to today's decision of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Georgia will soften the visa regime with the Russian Federation. All RF citizens can now get Georgian visas at all check point by paying 30 US dollars.

Let us note here that on September 3 Alexander Aksenov, head of the Visa and Registration Department of the Russian Federal Migratory Service (FMS) announced that citizens of Georgia whose Russian visa expires, should leave the RF territory, their visa can be extended by 10 days only under force majeure circumstances.

Gregory (Grigol) Vashadze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, told in the press conference that his Ministry has received today the President's decree, according to which all citizens of Russia can buy Georgian visas at all the check points. The entry visa to Georgia will still cost 30 US dollars.

According to Mr Vashadze, by doing so Georgia has demonstrated "to what extent it is a democratic country," the "Gazeta.Ru" reports.

Earlier it was planned, that from September 8 entry visas to Georgia will be given to citizens of the Russian Federation only on the basis of business or personal invitations, with issuance of visas only by Georgian diplomatic representative offices abroad.