Georgia is preparing to apply for full EU membership in 2024, says Garibashvili

Marking the 4th anniversary of visa-free travel to the EU member-states for Georgian citizens, the Prime Minister stated that Georgia is currently preparing to apply for full EU membership in 2024. PM Gakharia added that he would do everything in his power to let the Georgian society, as well as the population of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, enjoy the benefits of Georgia’s European integration:

“Today we are celebrating the fourth anniversary of introducing the visa-free regime between Georgia and the EU member states/ countries of the Schengen zone. The historical decision of March 2017 marked the EU's recognition of Georgia as a reliable partner. This showed that our efforts in strengthening democracy and ensuring further development, as well as the reforms that we have carried out did not go unnoticed [ by our European partners].

We will continue working towards achieving a full membership status with the EU, and we are now preparing to apply for it in 2024. We will do everything in our power to have our society, as well as the population of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, enjoy the benefits of Georgia’s integration into the EU to the fullest”, said the prime minister in his statement.

On his Twitter page, PM Garibashvili also noted that the 'visa-free travel' is one of the most visible successes in the history of relationships between Georgia and the EU:

“We are marking the 4th anniversary of the entry into force of the visa-free regime on March 28th. Visa-free travel is one of the most visible successes in Georgia – EU relations. Georgia’s recognition as a reliable and worthy partner by the EU has brought us even closer to the European family”, read the prime minister’s post.

Former Ambassador of Georgia to the EU Natalie Sabanadze, who resigned a week ago after eight years of service, noted that receiving visa liberalisation on March 28, 2017, serves as a symbol of “breaking down barriers and acquiring a privilege of freedom.”

As per the existing regulations, citizens of Georgia can travel to the countries within the Schengen zone for 90 days within 180 day period, both as tourists or on family or business trips.