22:50, 11 October 2010

Georgia introduces visa-free regime for citizens of Northern Caucasus

As stated today by Nino Kalandadze, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, residents of Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea will have the right to stay in Georgia without visas for 30 days.

She reminded that because of absence of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia, those residents of Northern Caucasus, who want to cross the Kazbegi-Verkhni Lars Georgian-Russian border checkpoint, should apply for entry visa to Georgia to the Embassy of Switzerland in Moscow, where they have a section of Georgia's interests.

According to Ms Kalandadze, the government's decision "is introduced within the framework of liberalization policy of the Georgian government and based on continuation of traditional relations with the peoples of Northern Caucasus," the RIA "Novosti" reports.