Georgia, Tbilisi, Oct. 12 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
A visa-free regime with the Northern Caucasus republics entering the Russian Federation is part of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's initiative on the 'United Caucasus' that he announced at the UN General Assembly, Georgian President's Spokesman Manana Manjgaladze said at the news conference today.
The people living in Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygey will benefit of the visa-free regime.
"Several days ago President Saakashvili voiced the initiative on a common Caucasus in the framework of the UN General Assembly and this decision is linked just with this initiative. It aims at deepening dialogue and century-old relations among the peoples of the Caucasus," Manjgaladze said.
According to her, the North Caucasus' people had had to walk long distances and obtain a visa in Moscow in order to visit Georgia. "After this decision, the road will be reduced, since one can arrive at the North Caucasus checkpoint in two to three hours maximum. Regarding the security, this issue will be resolved in different ways, but not by non-issuance of visas," she said.
The new regime of crossing the Georgian state border will be introduced on Oct.13 upon President Saakashvili's order dated Oct.11. Under the new rules, citizens of the listed republics of the Russian Federation will be able to enter into Georgia and stay in the country within 90 days without a visa.
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