Georgia, China sign mutual visa exemption deal

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Chinese Ambassador to Tbilisi Zhou Jian signed an agreement on a visa-free regime for citizens of the two countries during their reciprocal visits, TASS reports, citing the press service of the Georgian Foreign Ministry.

"The agreement signed today on the introduction of a visa-free regime will make it easier for our citizens to travel to China. Obviously, this gives fresh impetus to the existing friendship between our countries and to further developing mutually beneficial cooperation," he said after the signing.

The ambassador, for his part, noted that the visa-free regime will create more opportunities for Georgian and Chinese businessmen. They will be able to make reciprocal visits to discuss issues of cooperation and attract investment.

According to the agreement "On bilateral exemption of ordinary passport holders from visa obligations between the Governments of Georgia and China", citizens of the two countries will be able to make visits for up to 30 days. The agreement will enter into force after the completion of internal legal procedures by the two states.