BRUSSELS -- EU ambassadors have given the green light to negotiations between the European Council and the European Parliament on visa liberalization for Georgia.
The decision was taken on October 5 after Germany gave its consent. Berlin had previously resisted to agree to the move, citing a spike of crimes committed by Georgian citizens in Germany.
A compromise has been reached in which the negotiations will start directly after a deal is struck between the European Council and the European Parliament on a suspension mechanism aimed at making it easier for the bloc to suspend visa-free travel for third nations.
Diplomats from Slovakia, which holds the council's rotating presidency, are to meet with representatives of the European Parliament on October 6 to negotiate various aspects of the suspension mechanism.
The negotiations might last several weeks.
It is expected that both the European Parliament and EU member states will give their final approval for visa-free travel for Georgians later this year.