Georgia set to cancel visa regime with Iran
TBILISI. Feb 9 (Interfax) - Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke on the phone on Monday at the Georgian initiative.
The sides conferred on close cultural relations between people of their countries, the Georgian prime minister's press service said.
"They expressed hope for deepening cooperation in the field of tourism. The Georgian side pledged to take a concrete step in that area - to cancel the visa regime with Iran," the report.
The Georgian prime minister congratulated the Iranian president on the lifting of U.S. and EU sanctions.
"The conversation touched upon trade and economic relations between Georgia and Iran and the huge potential of both countries. The sides also spoke about the ongoing regional processes and noted the significance of international security for the development of the region," the report said.
On July 2, 2013, the Georgian government unilaterally cancelled the visa-free travel regime with the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was put into place on January 26, 2011. The visa policy stopped flights between Tehran and Tbilisi. In addition, up to 100 Iranian companies had to leave the Georgian market because of banking restrictions and the visa regime.