Following yesterday signature of the readmission agreement of persons residing without authorisation between the European Union and Georgia , EP President Jerzy BUZEK welcomed in Strasbourg the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
A visa facilitation agreement with Georgia, opening the way for easier travel and people-to-people contact across Europe, was already signed on 17 June this year.
"The visa facilitation and readmission agreements are a very tangible result of the Eastern Partnership and will promote interaction between citizens of the EU and Georgia and strengthen our cooperation in the fight against irregular immigration. Georgia and EU-Georgia relations remain high on our agenda. I warmly welcome the signature of the readmission agreement, said EP President Jerzy BUZE. It is a concrete sign of continued effort of the EU to strengthen relations with Georgia. This signature will now allow both the visa facilitation and readmission agreements to be ratified and enter into force, facilitating mobility for Georgian citizens who want to come to the EU. It will make it easier, cheaper and quicker to obtain a short term Schengen visa.''
The readmission agreement sets out clear obligations and procedures for the authorities of both Georgia and the respective EU Member State as to when and how to take back people who are illegally residing on their territories. These obligations cover nationals from Georgia, the EU Member States and those from third countries and stateless people, provided the latter have a clear link with the requested Party (e.g. visa or resident permit). A special accelerated procedure will apply to persons apprehended in common border regions who can be returned within a few days. The agreement contains the necessary safeguards with regard to data protection and the protection of fundamental human rights. Full respect of Human Rights as provided by the European Convention of Human Rights will be guaranteed during the application of the readmission agreement.
The two agreements will enter into force once both Parties have completed their internal ratification procedures. This involves, on the EU side, the European Parliament which will have to give its consent.
