On 14 November at the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis stressed that the EU’s support – closer political cooperation, economic integration and financial support – was especially necessary to the countries that had embarked on the path of democracy. The meeting focused on the situation in the EU’s Southern neighbours: Tunisia, Libya and Syria.

During the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, at Lithuania’s initiative foreign ministers of eight EU member states signed a letter addressed to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle and Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström. The letter draws their attention to Georgia’s progress in implementing the EU recommendations for the preparation for the negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, and for the opening of the visa dialogue. The European Commission is invited to open negotiations with Georgia on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement before the end of this year, and to launch the visa dialogue with Georgia already in the beginning of 2012. The letter was signed by Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.

Source Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

Read More »

For Czech Republic long-term (more than 90 days) visas, citizens of Georgia have to register using a new on-line system “VISAPOINT”  www.visapoint.eu. Registration is necessary for applications for Czech visas over 90 days and residence permits for the Czech Republic. This site is solely to register for appointments – applications must be lodged separately at the Embassy/Consulate.

Source Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

Read More »

HR Ashton visited Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia between 15 and 17 November, meeting the three presidents, as well as other key political figures. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton is emphasising the EU’s commitment to strengthening relations with the countries of the South Caucasus with a three-day visit to the region. Her main message is the EU’s commitment to deeper regional integration and closer relations. New links have been forged with each country with the launch of the Eastern Partnership, and negotiations onAssociation Agreements.

EU relations with Georgia are deepening, with political association and economic integration high on the agenda. Negotiations on an Association Agreement are making good progress, and talks will start soon on a ‘Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area’ (DCFTA). Visa facilitation and readmission agreements entered into force in March 2011.

Source EEAS

Read More »