EU Delegation official on economic ties: “looking forward to seeing more Georgian products on EU store shelves“

Nicholas Cendrowicz, the Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Georgia, on Wednesday highlighted “very strong” economic cooperation between the country and the bloc, and said he was “looking forward to seeing more Georgian products on EU store shelves”.

He added “close partnership” between Georgia and the EU throughout more than 30 years and noted the bloc was the “main trade partner” of the country and its “largest international donor”.

We currently provide up to €85 million in grant funds annually to Georgia to support its ambitious reform agenda. The EU is working with the Georgian authorities to implement an economic and investment plan, within which the [bloc] has already mobilised €1.9 billion in public and private investments to strengthen digital, energy and transport links both in Georgia and between Georgia and the EU, and to support small and medium-sized businesses”, the representative of the diplomatic office said.

The official added the EU was promoting Georgia’s “inclusive economic growth”, creating employment opportunities for its citizens and “connecting people digitally and physically to ultimately improve life in the country”.

He added more than a million Georgians had benefited from the opportunity of visa-free travel with European countries and noted economic integration between the EU and Georgia would continue to grow as the country aligned its legislation, laws and standards with the bloc.

Cendrowicz also said Georgia would benefit from “future-oriented EU legislation in many areas” as a result of its approximation with the Union.

He singled out the agricultural sector and said Georgia could receive more funding to prepare for the integration with the “common agricultural policy” after the country obtained the EU membership candidate status in December.

Georgia can benefit from rural development initiatives, because the EU pays a lot of attention to rural development. As a candidate country, Georgia can receive support for initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, promoting sustainable agriculture and improving living and working conditions in rural areas”, Cendrowicz pointed out.

He added the accession process should encourage Georgia to take measures promoting development of “responsible agro-ecosystems”.