Both the EU and Georgia has agreed a new deal in principle, which would allow Georgians to travel to Europe without a visa and stay there for 90 days within a 180-day period and vice versa.
But the proposals will not be rolled out until safeguards to stem the influx of migrants could be out in place.
Georgia, situated on Russia’s border, has been caught in a political tussle between the West and Moscow which opposes its EU aspirations.
Now the fight could have come to an end as the EU decides to embrace the state, bringing it into the Schengen agreement and 'risking further angering Russia premier Vladimir Putin'.
The EU stepped up negotiations with the former soviet nation of 3.7 million people this year, and has approved an easing of travel restrictions for nationals entering Europe and other European nationals entering Georgia.
Reacting to Wednesday’s decision, Georgian foreign minister Mikheil Janelidze said he was "delighted” by the “timely" announcement - just days before parliamentary elections in Georgia which could now give pro-European parties a bump in popularity.
He also stressed the approval would deepen relations between Georgia and EU member states in business, tourism, cultural and other sectors.
The proposal for the visa waiver for Georgia was issued by the European Commission on March 9 after the country met the conditions for the visa requirement exemption.
On July 7, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs recommended to grant visa-free travel to residents - which was then approved by the European Council yesterday.
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