Abstract
2017 was a remarkable year for relations between the European Union and Georgia. This was especially true for the citizens of Georgia.
Following the entry into force of the Association Agreement between the two parties on 1 July 2016, Georgians have been allowed to enter the Schengen area without a visa since 28 March 2017. Citizens of the EU Member States have been traveling to Georgia in November 2004, visa-free, thanks to the Georgian government's voluntary initiative for the so-called "Rose Revue".
The EU sees visa liberalization for Georgian nationals as a step in its 2009 Eastern Partnership (EaP) agenda, which aims to deepen and consolidate the Union's political, economic and social ties with six countries on its eastern border: Armenia , Azerbaijan. Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
However, Georgia as a state and nation sees this as a step towards a greater goal: to fulfill the historical longing to be part of Europe.