The number of asylum seekers from Georgia to Belgium has increased significantly, although the majority are not granted asylum. Such a statement the Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration made at a joint press conference with Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

“There are regular and irregular ways to migrate. It is fundamental that Georgians get the right information and migrate in a regular way so that there won’t be ugly surprises upon arrival in Belgium. It is a matter of protecting yourself from unexpected difficulties at the border or during your stay”, - said Nicole de Moor.

In that regard, she noted that Georgians have a low success rate of receiving asylum because it is considered to be a safe country by Belgium.

“Furthermore, asylum will never be granted to a seeker on economic grounds. If Georgians are found to have entered illegally or to be staying in Belgium without permission, they will be promptly deported”, - explained the Secretary.

She revealed that Georgia and Belgium have developed “an effective procedure, which may include a travel ban”.