Unfounded asylum applications by Georgians in the EU countries increased in 2019, according to the EU Association Implementation Report on Georgia.
"The number of asylum requests made by Georgians in EU/Schengen countries remained high in 2019, exceeding the overall number of asylum requests in 2018 and 2017, ranking Georgian nationals amongst the top nationalities requesting international protection in the EU." the report reads.
The report also underscores that the Georgian government has coped with irregular migration related challenges, and "Georgia has continued to pro-actively address the challenge of increased unfounded asylum applications."
"Georgia maintained its efforts to strengthen border management stepping up cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. "Joint Operation Coordination Points 2019 Air and Joint Operation Focal Points 2019 Air" were launched in the beginning of 2019 to address irregular migration and to improve pre-departure checks. The security and surveillance infrastructure of the Border Police was further expanded," reads the report.
The European Union has published its 4th annual Association Implementation Report on Georgia, with its Georgian translation published on the official website of the European Union.
