Georgia: Two Years of the Visa-Free Regime with the EU: Problems and Challenges

Abstract

The paper analyses various problems related to Georgia’s visa liberalization with the EU on the basis of press materials. It discusses the issues of rising of the number of illegal migrants and asylum seekers from Georgia into the EU and their criminal activities conducted in various European countries.  These problems might lead to the suspension of the visa free regime, therefore the government of Georgia undertakes some measures to minimize these negative incidents. The visa liberalization is considered as a serious step ahead on the way of rapprochement between Georgia and the EU. Besides, visa liberalization has important political dimension as well: its possible suspension or total abolition will bring devastating blow to the pro-Western orientation of Georgia and will reinforce the pro-Russian forces in the country.