Georgia unilaterally revokes visa-free rules with Iran
Georgia unilaterally revoked visa-free entry to Iranian citizens from July 1, Asriran.com reported.
Commenting on the move, the Georgian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “The Georgian government had concerns that in case of expansion of trade relations with Iran, the latter can avoid economic sanctions using the financial system of Georgia.”
Georgia and Iran signed an agreement on 45-day visa-free travel rules in November 2010 when the Foreign Minister of Iran visited Georgia.
The agreement went into force in late January 2011, which contributed to the increase in the number of visits from Iran to Georgia from about 21,300 in 2010 to over 89,600 in 2012.
Starting from July 1, 2013 Iranian citizens will have to obtain Georgian visas, but Iran has not yet revoked visa-free rules for the Georgian citizens, Civil.ge reported.