Georgia, Tbilisi, June 17 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgia and EU have signed an agreement on simplifying procedures for issuing visas in Brussels. The document was signed by Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze and Foreign Minister of Spain, chairing the EU, Miguel Angel Moratinos and the European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, the ministry told Trend.
The sides noted the importance of this document. Vashadze noted that this is the first serious step towards Georgia's rapprochement and integration into European structures. "We have prepared seven documents, and they will be signed soon," he added.
This agreement will enter into force together with the Agreement on readmission upon their ratification by the European Parliament and the Parliament of Georgia.
Parties to the Agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of visas between Georgia and the European Union are Georgia and EU member states except the Kingdom of Denmark, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ireland.
Based on the agreement, fees for the consideration of visa applications for all citizens of Georgia will be reduced from 60 to 35 Euros. Procedure for obtaining visas of the state parties to the Agreement throughout the EU territory will be simplified for 22 categories of citizens. The same 22 categories will be exempt from fees for the consideration of visa applications. Types of documents to be submitted by 13 categories of persons will be determined individually. 11 categories of persons will be required to obtain 1-year multiple visas if they have obtained at least one visa during the previous year in compliance with the laws of the host state. Afterwards, these persons will be authorized to obtain multiple visas for a period of 2-5 years. Some categories of persons are eligible to obtain directly multiple visas with a validity of up to 5 years.
Decision on the issue of visas will be adopted within 10 calendar days from the reception of respective visa application and necessary documents. In individual cases this term may be extended by 30 calendar days or reduced to 2 days.
The agreement entitles holders of Georgian diplomatic passports to up to 90-day visa-free movement on the territories of the state parties to the agreement, the ministry reported.
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