Ministry: 1.32 million Armenian citizens visited Georgia in 2014January 9, 2015 - 17:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 5,493,492 foreign citizens visited Georgia in 2014, showing a 1.88% increase over the previous year, according to statistics compiled by the Interior Ministry based on border crossing data, Civil.ge reports. In the data provided, travelers entering into Georgia and staying in the country for more than 24 hours are classified as ‘tourists’. Of 5.49 million visits registered in 2014, 2,218,050 were identified as ‘tourists’, a 7.39% increase against 2013. Citizens from Georgia’s neighboring states made up the largest share in total visits in 2014. Turkish citizens led the pack again in 2014 with 1.43 million entries into Georgia, down by 10.1% compared to 2013, followed by Armenian citizens with 1.32 million entries (2.3% y/y increase); Azerbaijani citizens – 1.28 million (19.2% y/y increase); Russian citizens – 810,233 (5.58% y/y increase); Ukrainian citizens – 143,157 (12.9% y/y increase). Number of visits by Iranian citizens more than halved to 41,747 in 2014. Number of visits to Georgia by citizens from the EU-member states increased 11% y/y, reaching 230,323 in 2014. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Armenia: Top cleric to retain title as he bids to become interim PM Galstanyan said earlier that the interim government would be tasked with stopping the “destruction of our homeland”. |