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 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. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |