Georgia will benefit from visa-free regime with Russia

Unilateral abolition of the visa regime with Russia is an important step from an economic point of view, Prime Minister Nika Gilauri said at a governmental meeting, commenting on the President's initiative today.

"The influx of tourists is important for us," he said. "Russian tourists will be able to see our country and the outcome of the post-Soviet country's development. Of course, the abolition of the visa regime unilaterally is also important from an economic perspective."

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili made a unilateral initiative to abolish the visa regime with Russia. "Let all Russian citizens know that they can safely arrive in Georgia and move in its territory," President Saakashvili said on Tuesday.

He stressed that this is a progressive step towards improving relations with Russia, and that Georgia was also interested in this.
"We are interested in good relations with neighbors," he said. "Russia is our neighbor, and we are ready to build these relations, taking into account mutual interests and on equal terms."

"During the negotiations, Russia has never mentioned the interest of the separatists," he said. "This was our little victory."


/Trend/