Within the work visit to Brussels, Minister of Internal Affairs, Giorgi Mgebrishvili held meeting with Euro-commissioner on migration, home affairs and citizenship issues -Dimitris Avramopoulos.
At the meeting sides discussed progress achieved by Georgia in the direction of Euro-integration. Sides made special emphasis on the role of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in accomplishing visa liberalization action plan, since the huge part of the commitments defined by the VLAP was to be implemented by the mentioned agency.
Minister of Internal Affairs has assessed the strategic and political importance of the visa free regime in the Schengen states within the context of the cooperation with the EU and outlined importance of the support of the European institutions after launching visa free regime.
Minister acquainted Dimitris Avramopoulos with legislative, structural and functional reforms held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and discussed projects which are aimed to convert the Ministry of Internal Affairs into more effective and society-oriented agency. At the meeting sides also assessed progress achieved by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the field of fight against illegal migration, trafficking, organized crime, integrated border management and international police cooperation.
As it was stated by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has already concluded 16 agreements with EU member states on cooperation in the field of the fight against crime and has deployed police attaches in 13 partner states, which has brought significant results already. In the nearest future agreement on cooperation on operative and strategic level will be signed with EUROPOL after which Georgia will become EUROPOL partner state.
Minister of Internal Affairs acquainted Euro-commissioner with ongoing reforms at the Ministry, future priorities and stressed the importance of cooperation and support from EU.
Giorgi Mgebrishvili has thanked Dimitris Avramopoulos for close cooperation, support and for contribution made in the Georgia’s Euro-integration and visa liberation process.
