Within the framework of his working visit to Washington, the Georgian Foreign Minister held a meeting with Senator Lindsey Graham. Mikheil Janelidze thanked the senator for his active support of Georgia, including for initiating a hearing on Georgia at the Senate Assignments Committee.
The Minister also thanked Lindsey Graham for visiting Georgia together with Senator John McCain.
Discussions focused on Georgia-U.S. partnership the U.S. side’s firm bicameral support for Georgia.
The sides paid special attention to the security environment in the region placing particular accent on the Russian Federation’s steps towards annexation of Georgia’s occupied regions. The Senator reaffirmed his strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani met Ambassador John Herbst, Director of the Atlantic Council's Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center. The sides discussed the bilateral strategic relations between Georgia and the U.S. emphasizing that the ongoing co-operation is at its highest level to which attests the busy bilateral agenda and interactions within the framework of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission. David Zalkaliani briefed Ambassador John Herbst on the first contacts Georgia has established with the new U.S. administration. The sides also took note of the Georgian Foreign Minister’s ongoing visit to the U.S. paying special attention to the messages issued by representatives of the new U.S. administration in support for Georgia. The sides also spoke about the security situation in Georgia as well as in the region as a whole. David Zalkaliani provided the guest with detailed information on the security situation in Georgia’s occupied territories. Discussions focused on Georgia’s intense relations with the Atlantic Council as one of the leading research organizations of the U.S. The sides agreed to further continue this successful co-operation.

Tbilisi – Co-operation between Georgia and Greece is of strategic importance – Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said at a joint press conference after his meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze. According to Nikos Kotzias, Greece welcomes Georgia’s integration with the EU. The Greek Foreign Minister congratulated Georgia on the decision granting Georgian citizens visa-free travel with the EU. The Greek Foreign Minister reaffirmed his Government’s firm support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic arrived for the first time for his official visit in Georgia. He is due to hold meetings with representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the government.

The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili, together with the Georgian delegation, has visited Belarus High Technologies Park, where he has obtained information about activities and successful projects carried out in the organization. As noted, Georgia is interested in learning from the experience of the republic of Belarus in high technologies. Belarus High Technologies Park, being one of the major computer technology organizations in Eastern and Central Europe, was established in 2006. Since its establishment, it has been strongly supported by the Government of the Republic of Belarus. The organization aims at helping young people with creative ideas to achieve success. According to the representatives of the Park, among the customers of the organization are the world’s largest companies, such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook and others. The organization exports products to the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, and CIS countries. In 2016 the exported products amounted about 1 billion US dollars. Well-known applications such as Viber and MSQRD, which are available both for iOS and Android systems, were created in Belarus High Technologies Park. It was noted that a joint cooperation memorandum was signed between Belarus High Technologies Park and the Innovation and Technology Agency of Georgia. As a part of the memorandum, the parties will collaborate to develop scientific, technological, and innovative areas, implement joint projects, exchange information, and hold meetings in groups.

As a part of the official visit to the Republic of Belarus, the President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has held a tete-a-tete meeting with the President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Aleksandr Lukashenko. The meeting was mainly focused on the prospects of further strengthening cooperation in political, trade-economic, and cultural areas. One of the main talking points was the issues of regional security. The parties have also discussed the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia. President Margvelashvili has thanked President Lukashenko for his support of Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and non-recognition policy. According to President Margvelashvili, by signing the so-called Treaty on Alliance and Integration, the Russian Federation has begun annexation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region. If conducted, the announced referendum on integrating Tskhinvali to the Russian Federation will have extremely negative outcomes for the security of Georgia and the entire region. President Margvelashvili has underscored the extreme importance of the international community’s firm position in regard to illegal actions taken by the Russian Federation, in order to avoid annexation of the occupied territories of Georgia. The President of Georgia has expressed concern on the fact that Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region are still inaccessible for the international community and the European Union Monitoring Mission is the only international mechanism on site, which, despite the mandate, is not allowed to enter the occupied territories of Georgia. This further worsens the situation of human rights. The conversation has also touched upon the incident that took place on May 19, 2016 in the village Khurcha. The parties have also discussed the growing dynamics of economic and trade relations between Georgia and the Republic of Belarus and the importance of further strengthening this cooperation. According to President Margvelashvili, Georgian side expresses readiness to share its experience in regard to economic reforms, e-governance, and fight against corruption with Belarusian colleagues. As noted at the meeting, the Republic of Belarus is interested in those opportunities, which Georgia opens up for its partners through the Free Trade Area Agreement (DCFTA) and active cooperation with other regions. The two presidents have also expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation in the areas of education and innovation. As highlighted at the meeting, opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus to Georgia, announced in April, 2015 during President Lukashenko's visit to Georgia, significantly contributes to the further development of bilateral relations between the two countries. The parties have expressed hope that this visit will further strengthen the existing relationship between Georgia and the Republic of Belarus.

The Parliament of Georgia has ratified the Horizon 2020 program Association Agreement resulting in Georgia becoming a full-fledged Horizon 2020 Program associated country. With the effort of the Georgian government, prior to the agreement ratification, the Georgian participants could only participate as a temporary associated country status member in the program. The associated country status gives the Georgian scientists and innovators, as well as the Georgian-based legal entities such as (universities, research institutions, small and medium enterprises, research-oriented agencies, non-governmental organizations, business companies, foundations, government agencies, etc.) the right to the same conditions and the rights, which the European member states exercise. In case of victory in Horizon 2020 competition, the Georgian research and innovation organizations will be able to obtain hundreds of thousands of euros in grant funding, in conjunction with carrying out research activities in Georgia, host the beginner or experienced researches from around the world, and realize their innovative ideas and plans. The victory in such competition also enables the strengthening of the research centers, which are based in Georgia.

Within the framework of his visit to Geneva, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze met the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter. The Ministers spoke about the successful co-operation in the bilateral format, as well as within the international organizations. The Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs congratulated his Georgian counterpart on the EU Council’s decision of 17 February 2017 to grant Georgia visa-free travel with Europe. For his part, Mikheil Janelidze reaffirmed Georgia’s European aspirations and the Government’s intention to get closer to the EU in terms of institutional development and standards. While on the theme of bilateral relations, the Ministers noted with satisfaction the remarkable bilateral relations between Georgia and Switzerland providing the solid groundwork for developing co-operation in various areas. Special note was taken of importance of concluding the Agreement between Georgia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Discussions also focused on the possibility of the Swiss President’s visit to Georgia in 2017. The sides discussed the security environment in the region. Mikheil Janelidze thanked the Swiss side for Switzerland’s mediation efforts in Georgia’s relations with Russia. The Ministers spoke about the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Georgia’s occupied territories. The Georgian Foreign Minister paid special attention to the Georgian government’s peace policy and to the necessity of peacefully resolving the conflict, through the active support of the international community.

The State of Israel has included Georgia in the list of safe countries which means that, according to Israel, no one in Georgia is under threat of persecution on the grounds of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, political views. The inclusion of Georgia in the list of safe countries means that Georgian citizens’ applications for asylum (unless they are based on real reasons) will not be granted. The State of Israel is the fifth country after the Kingdom of Belgium, France, Bulgaria and Austria, to have placed Georgia on the list of safe countries.

Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili: Greetings, Mr. EU Commissioner! Greetings, esteemed ambassadors! Representatives of the Government and Parliament, citizens of Georgia, it is with great pleasure and joy that I congratulate you on this day! We are excited that today the Council of the European Union adopted the final regulatory amendment introducing visa-free travel for Georgia's citizens. This is the final step in the decision-making process. I congratulate every Georgian citizen on this very important decision. Notably, all three EU institutions have given their ultimate consent to visa liberalization for Georgia. The revised regulation will be signed on March 1 and published in the official journal of the EU a few days later. Twenty days after the publication, Georgian citizens will be able to enjoy short-term visa-free travel in the EU/Schengen Area. It is symbolic that our friend, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos is here in Georgia on this important day, to share this success with us. I would like to thank Mr. Avramopoulos for his personal efforts in the process of Georgia-EU visa liberalization. We also appreciate unanimous support from the EU member states and the European Parliament. Introduction of visa waiver is an important step on the path to Georgia's European integration, drawing Georgia ever closer to Europe. This outcome bears witness to two things: 1) The EU's due recognition of the Georgian Government's efforts seeking to build democratic institutions, also confirming that Georgia-EU partnership is reliable and solid. In addition, this achievement is an additional stimulus for the Georgian Government to continue its legislative and institutional reforms. 2) Even more importantly, this result proves that the European Union does come through with its promises. Today, the European spirit is stronger in Georgia than anywhere else. The European idea triumphs in Georgia as nowhere else. The importance of a unified Europe and its common foreign, security and economic policies is embraced in Georgia stronger than anywhere else. My fellow compatriots, I congratulate you on this day! I also congratulate Europe because Georgia, as an integral part of European civilization, has drawn even closer today to its European family. Visa-free access to the European Union will bring tangible, concrete benefits to the citizens of Georgia. Visa-free travel to the EU member states will promote closer tourism, educational, cultural, and business relations between our societies, also contributing to the introduction and advancement of European values and ideas in Georgia. It is important, that all the benefits of visa-free travel will be available to our citizens in the occupied territories. The Georgian Government is fully aware of the responsibility accompanying the launch of visa-free travel. We are implementing a set of preventive measures to ensure against possible risks, including a far-reaching large-scale awareness campaign about the rules of visa-free travel. We expect every Georgian citizen to demonstrate exceptional responsibility in fulfilling their duties and scrupulously observing the terms of travel. The reforms implemented under visa liberalization are integral parts of the Georgian Government's agenda. Therefore, our efforts in this direction continue, making up a continuous and sustainable process in which we always enjoy strong support from the EU. Once again, I would like to express my immense gratitude to every member of my team for their enormous efforts. I am grateful to our friend, EU Commissioner Avramopoulos, for this crucially important visit. I also thank EU Ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman for his great support throughout this process. I am thankful to the ambassadors of our friends, the EU member states, for their work in Georgia, for their assistance to the Government of Georgia in achieving this huge success. Thank you very much. I congratulate you on this day!

On 27 February 2017, the Council adopted a regulation on visa liberalisation for Georgians travelling to the EU for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period. Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela stated that, "This agreement will bring the people of Georgia and the EU closer together and will strengthen tourism and business ties. It follows the completion of the necessary reforms by Georgia, addressing document security, border management, migration and asylum. In addition, the recent adaptation of the suspension mechanism has made this agreement possible." The Council and the European Parliament now need to sign the adopted regulation. The text will then be published in the EU Official Journal and will enter into force 20 days later, at the same time as the new visa waiver suspension mechanism. The regulation formally amends regulation 539/2001, moving Georgia from Annex I (countries whose nationals need a visa to enter the Schengen area) to Annex II (visa free countries). Georgian citizens with a biometric passport travelling to the EU for up to 90 days for business, tourist or family purposes will no longer need a visa. These measures will not apply to Ireland and the United Kingdom, in accordance with the protocols annexed to the EU treaties. The visa regime of these member states remains subject to their national legislation.