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Georgia's PM Kobakhidze rejects Brussels' demands to strike down laws

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has declared that peace and stability take precedence over retaining visa-free travel to Europe, rejecting a demand to cancel several laws considered anti-European by Brussels. “If the choice is between peace and stability, or visa liberalization, we will choose peace and stability,” he said. “Going to Europe with or … Read more

Georgia’s PM Kobakhidze rejects Brussels’ demands to strike down laws

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has declared that peace and stability take precedence over retaining visa-free travel to Europe, rejecting a demand to cancel several laws considered anti-European by Brussels. “If the choice is between peace and stability, or visa liberalization, we will choose peace and stability,” he said. “Going to Europe with or … Read more

EU threatens to suspend visa-free entry rights for Georgian citizens

TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union has issued its starkest warning yet to Tbilisi: fulfill key democratic conditions or face suspension of visa-free travel. The ultimatum, delivered by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, puts unprecedented pressure on Georgia’s ruling party just months ahead of local elections. “All options are on the table, including suspension of the … Read more

EU considers suspending visa-free entry for Georgians

TBILISI, DFWatch–When foreign ministers from EU member countries meet in Luxembourg on Monday, three of the topics on their agenda are about Georgia: the rise in anti-EU disinformation, possible sanctions over alleged human rights violations, and whether to suspend Georgia’s visa-waiver program to the Schengen Area. Georgia has enjoyed visa-free travel to the EU since … Read more

'No basis' for halting Georgia's visa-waiver program – EU to consider drastic escalation with Tbilisi on 23 June

TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council will meet on June 23, and the political situation in Georgia is one of the items on the agenda. Ahead of the meeting, some European leaders, including Poland’s PM Donald Tusk, have been lobbying member states to adopt tougher measures in order to pur pressure on Georgia on … Read more

‘No basis’ for halting Georgia’s visa-waiver program – EU to consider drastic escalation with Tbilisi on 23 June

TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council will meet on June 23, and the political situation in Georgia is one of the items on the agenda. Ahead of the meeting, some European leaders, including Poland’s PM Donald Tusk, have been lobbying member states to adopt tougher measures in order to pur pressure on Georgia on … Read more

Donald Tusk spearheading renewed attempt to shut down EU's visa-free travel for Georgians

TBILISI, DFWatch–Another push is underway to convince European Union member states to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. Leading the charge is Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has emerged as a hardliner among EU leaders seeking to pressure the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government using Brussels’ institutional tools. “I apologize to Georgians if this … Read more

Donald Tusk spearheading renewed attempt to shut down EU’s visa-free travel for Georgians

TBILISI, DFWatch–Another push is underway to convince European Union member states to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. Leading the charge is Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has emerged as a hardliner among EU leaders seeking to pressure the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government using Brussels’ institutional tools. “I apologize to Georgians if this … Read more

Georgian asylum seekers to Europe down 13% in April

 

Asylum applications by Georgian nationals between April 2016 and April 2018. (www.easo.europa.eu)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of Georgians who sought asylum in Schengen countries dropped 13 percent in April, compared to the month before, but the small Caucasus nation is still over-represented.

Despite a modest population of 3.7 million, Georgia still ranks among

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Georgians celebrate start of visa-free travel to Europe

From left to right: PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Mamuka Mdinaradze, Lasha Abashidze. (Interpressnews.)
(Interpressnews.)
(Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–There were celebrations in the capital Tbilisi on Monday as Georgian nationals may travel without a visa to Europe’s vast borderless Schengen area from March 28.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili was among government officials who attended a two

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