EU Commissioner to Georgian PM: ‘EU continues to stand by partners in fight against coronavirus outbreak’
During the meeting PM Giorgi Gakharia confirmed as well that Georgia remains "a reliable partner" of the EU in the region. Photo: Government press office
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The European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Varhelyi has confirmed to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia during a video conversation today that the EU “continues to stand by partners in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak”, as part of its global response to the pandemic.
Spoke to Prime Minister of #Georgia @GakhariaGiorgi to confirm that #EU continues to stand by partners in fight against #CoronavirusOutbreak, as part of our global response to the pandemic. Providing support for immediate needs&mitigating economic impact, regionally&bilaterally. pic.twitter.com/Baeheq0acV
— Oliver Varhelyi (@OliverVarhelyi) April 7, 2020
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, who also attended the video conversation, said that PM Gakharia has briefed the EU Commissioner of the Georgian government’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
Zalkaliani said the Georgian and EU officials also spoke of the situation in the two Russia-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), as the EU is one of the key parties of the Geneva International Discussions.
This critical situation should be also turned into opportunity... to offer the benefits that we receive from the EU... to our citizens living in the occupied region", Minister Zalkaliani stated.
During the meeting PM Gakharia confirmed as well that Georgia remains "a reliable partner" of the EU in the region and the achievements stemming from Georgia-EU cooperation "pave the way for future success on the country's path towards European integration".
"These are very difficult times not only for the EU, but for our partner countries as well. We are doing all we can to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on human lives and livelihoods. We are responding both to the immediate needs of the health systems, as well as longer term needs to the most vulnerable groups in society and small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of the economies in the six countries,” Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said.
The United States Government is providing $1.1 million assistance to Georgia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will help prepare laboratory systems, activate case-finding and event-based surveillance, support technical experts for response and preparedness, bolster risk communication and more
The World Bank is offering €45 million to support Georgia implement ongoing reforms in areas critical for inclusive economic growth and also assist in the country’s efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is pledging financing to help firms in Georgia deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, announces the EBRD.
Georgia has reported 13 new cases of the coronavirus today, bringing the total number of cases to 208. Of the 208 individuals, 46 have recovered, while three others have died. As of now 157 individuals remain infected with the virus in the country. 4,674 people are under quarantine in Georgia, while 362 others are in hospitals.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia held a video conference with representatives of local analytical and research organisations to set goals for countering the economic crisis amid the coronavirus pandemic.
European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi has underlined ‘the need for cross-party dialogue’ during a phone talk with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia earlier today.