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• MEETING OF IRAKLI BERAIA WITH JAMES APPATHURAI ON GEORGIA’S ACCESSION TO NATO

  The Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee, Irakli Beraia, and members of the Committee met the Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Emerging Security Challenges, James Appathurai, who is on a visit to Georgia.
  During the meeting, the participants discussed the Euro-Atlantic integration process of Georgia and the significance of expediting Georgia's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance. They also deliberated on the necessity of further reinforcing practical assistance from NATO to Georgia to counter hybrid threats.

  The meeting was attended by Committee members Aleksandre Tabatadze, Khatia Tsilosani, Herman Sabo, Aleksandre Elisashvili, Aleksandre Motserelia, and the Head of the NATO Liaison Office, Alexander Vinnikov.

• Committee for European Union of the German Bundestag visits Tbilisi

  A delegation from the committee for European Union affairs of the German Bundestag will visit Georgia from May 2^nd to 5^th, 2023. Members of the delegation are: Christian Petry (SPD, Head of delegation), Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU/CSU), Michael Sacher (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN), Thomas Hacker (FDP) and Dr. Harald Weyel (AfD).

  During the visit, meetings are planned with the Minister of Justice, H.E. Rati Bregadze, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, H.E. Levan Davitashvili, and Deputy Foreign Minister, H.E. Teimuraz Janjalia.

  Furthermore, the delegation will hold talks with the Speaker of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili and the chairmen of several committees of the Georgian Parliament.

  The program is completed by exchanges with representatives of civil society, the media, business and cultural institutions.

  As Georgia submitted an application for membership to the European Union in March 2022 and has had the prospect of joining the EU since June 2022, the talks will concern necessary reforms and the structure of relations and cooperation between Georgia and the EU.

  Against the background of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the focus will also be on coordinating questions of foreign and security policy, as well as on the regional effects of the war and geopolitical aspects.

• EU Foreign Affairs Council: Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia in focus

  The EU Foreign Affairs Council took place on 24 April, with the situation in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova as priority topics.

  Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the EU ministers via video conference, and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine’s military priorities and needs, especially in terms of ammunition and missiles. 

  EU High Representative Josep Borrell highlighted that in total the EU and its member states have already facilitated the delivery to Ukraine of over €13 billion in military support. 

  He also updated ministers on EU military support to Ukraine in the context of the three-track plan. On track one, the EU adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €1 billion to address Ukraine’s most immediate needs. EU member states are also finalising work on track two, to facilitate joint procurement. Lastly, the European Commission will soon present concrete proposals on how to ramp up the European defence production capacity under track three.

  Ministers were also informed about the activities of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), which has already exceeded its initial target by training over 16,000 Ukrainian soldiers. The EU aims to train a total of 30,000 soldiers by the end of 2023.

  EU Foreign Ministers also held an informal exchange with the Georgian Foreign Minister, Ilia Darchiashvili, and confirmed that Georgia has made significant progress in many key reforms. They also highlighted that rule of law, human rights, media, civil society and independent state institutions are important elements for each country aspiring to join the EU.

  Concerning Moldova, the Foreign Affairs Council established a new civilian EU CSDP partnership mission (EUPM Moldova), reached a broad agreement on a new framework for sanctions against those who destabilise the country, and on allocating further €40 million coming from the European Peace Facility to support Moldova’s defence capabilities.

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  Press release

• Prime Minister departs for Brussels

  Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, together with a delegation, has set out on a visit to Belgium.

  Within the scope of the visit, Irakli Garibashvili will hold high-level bilateral meetings at both NATO and the EU.

  Led by the Prime Minister, the Georgian delegation consists of Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Head of the Government Administration Revaz Javelidze.

  Press Service of the Government Administration
• Visa-free travel: EU launches travel authorisation system for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine from 2024

  From 2024, nationals of all 59 countries across the world that enjoy visa-free travel to the EU, including Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, will be required to obtain ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorisation. This is a new requirement introduced by the European Union to enter any of the 27 Schengen countries, Bulgaria, Romania, or Cyprus.

  ETIAS is an online travel authorisation, not a visa.

  With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you will be able to stay in any of the 30 European countries for 90 days in any 180-day period.

  To apply for ETIAS you must have a passport valid for more than 3 months, provide an email address, complete the online form and pay a fee of €7.

  There is only one official ETIAS website: europa.eu/etias. The application form will be made available on this website once the system is launched.

  Find out more

  Press release