Georgia receives new wave of support after first new EU format meeting
President of the European Commission stated that “Georgia can count on the EU to believe in Georgia's future, and to firmly defend its territorial integrity.” Photo: Prime Minister’s press office.
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Georgia has received billions of euros in support to develop its economy, education and other fields after the first new meeting format with the EU in Brussels took place today.
The key outcomes of the meeting include €3.4 billion for transport investment projects, €100 million of additional access to finance in local currency for SMEs, support for additional academic and scientific exchanges, and a new programme to increase the security of Georgian citizens, the European Commission says.
European Commission - #Georgian Government: Key outcomes delivered by the high level meeting -21 November 2018 @EU_Commission @GovernmentGeo pic.twitter.com/mE5CEkuHC0
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) November 21, 2018
Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn also signed two financing agreements with the Georgian Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani.
The first, worth €49 million, will further enhance economic and business development in Georgia, while the other, worth nearly €48 million, will support skills development in Georgia to match labour market needs, the European Commission has reported.
FM @DZalkaliani and @JHahnEU signed agreement on Economic and Business Development in #Georgia and Skills Development and Matching for Labour Market Needs. In the frame of the agreement #EU will allocate €97 million for #Georgia's assistance pic.twitter.com/bifSQBX7yL
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) November 21, 2018
European commissioners, chaired by President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, along with members of the Georgian government led by Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, held a high-level meeting earlier today.
The European Commission and the Government of Georgia have agreed to further enhance the relationship through more than 25 concrete actions across three focus areas, “which will advance cooperation within the framework of the Association Agreement,” the European Commission says.
Georgia is a country built on the courage and ambition of its people. Our fates and destinies have long been intertwined. Your unilateral commitment to deepen integration with the EU is a major step forward. The more you reform, the more we will support,” Juncker said during the press conference after the meeting.
Bakhtadze called the day “historic” and “another milestone” in the EU-Georgia relations.
“Today’s launch of the exceptional EU-Georgia cooperation format will ensure that Georgia keeps featuring as a major success story of European integration in our neighborhood,” Bakhtadze said.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has asked the European Council President Donald Tusk to constantly raise Georgian conflict issues during EU-Russia bilateral meeting formats.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and the Georgian delegation have met with Georgian diaspora in Brussels late yesterday and familiarised them with the initiatives offered by the Georgian government in support of Georgians living abroad.
Georgia and the EU will sign several deals tomorrow in Brussels at what will be the first of a new, unique format of meeting between the two parties. The deals will provide up to €231 million in support for Georgian education, economy and businesses.
Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze will visit Brussels with the government delegation on today.
Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze, has emphasised the importance of the responsible implementation of the visa liberalisation tool by Georgians.
European Council President Donald Tusk and Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili agreed to further intensity cooperation between Georgia and the EU and spoke to the press today after their meeting in Brussels.
The third Association Implementation report released by Euroepan Commission says that Georgia's Association Agreement commitments, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, have been implemented in line with agreed timelines.