Georgia and Israel lift visa regime

Georgia and Israel have agreed on lifting the visa regime for tourists from 2011, Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Veronika Kobalia has said, reported by Rosbalt.ru.

According to her, the agreement has been reached after talks with her Israeli counterpart Stas Misezhnikov.

Earlier Georgia said will lift the visa regime for the North Caucasus countries from 13 October.

Spokesperson for the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Manana Manjgaladze, had particularly said that the visa-free travel for the North Caucasus states is the first step to the idea voiced by President of Georgia at the United Nations.

"President of Georgia spoke about the idea at the UN General Assembly. Simplification of visa regime to the North Caucasians is directly connected with the issue. Security is controlled by other methods and not by issuing or not issuing visas," Manjgaladze has said.