Georgia and the European Union (EU) will begin talks over visa-free travel next spring, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told a joint press conference with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in Tbilisi.

For his part, the President of Georgia said visa-free travel introduction needs time.

"But of course, this agreement will not lead to a mass escape of citizens unlike what happened in some other countries. Georgians will move abroad just to expand their outlooks but not forever as they prefer living in their native land," he said.

Saakashvili noted EU- Georgia readmission agreement as a barrier for mass emigration.

At the same time, he noted that preferential visa-free regulations have already been in effect so a certain part of local citizens can move across Europe freely, Trend News reported.