Foundation laid, 1st European School to open in Tbilisi
Top Georgian officials and the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn laid the foundation of the European School earlier today. Photo: Tbilisi City Hall press office.
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Georgian and EU officials have laid the foundation for the very first fully-fledged European School outside the EU borders, which will enroll students from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine at Lisi Lake in Tbilisi.
Today I am proud to announce that we are laying the foundation for an even larger and more ambitious construction. On this very site, at Lisi Lake, the Government of Georgia, with the support of the European Union, will establish the very first fully-fledged European School in the European Union’s Neighbourhood (In fact, the first ever, outside EU borders!),” EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn stated at the construction site earlier today.
Today @JHahnEU is launching the 1st European School outside EU borders, welcoming #scholarship holders from the six Eastern partner countries!
— EU Neighbours (@euneighbours) September 16, 2019
See what this unique programme is all about => https://t.co/uoOj68tG0a #EU4Youth #EaP10@eu_near @EUinGeorgia @MFAgovge pic.twitter.com/CBuRXYKizW
Hahn said that the school will function under the Georgian law and will offer a “unique curriculum that meets the high demands” of the Georgian, European and international education systems.
He stated that with the EU support, many more generations of students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine will have the opportunity to follow a “unique education model” based on the highest standards, inspired by the European and international values of multiculturalism, peace and tolerance.
Inauguration of #EuropeanSchool in #Tbilisi: “Dear students, your ambition and courage give me hope for the future of #Europe! All the best and sure that I come to #Georgia to visit the #EuropeanSchool again” pic.twitter.com/Dqm6se5Y5D
— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) September 16, 2019
This is just one more example of Georgia demonstrating its commitment to the European idea. I am very happy that the Georgian government has supported this unique project from the very beginning. Georgia is a key partner of the European Union and our presence here together,PM, is a symbol of this close partnership, Hahn said.
- Read the full speech here.
Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia said that the school is a “new step in the Georgian education system and for the EU-Georgia relations.”
Comm.@JHahnEU meets students for an informal get-together & inaugurates the new on campus dormitory of the New School which opened its doors last year in #Tbilisi???? https://t.co/vyzRoU42iY “Very happy to meet students & to see how much has been achieved". #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/pGvxno03Sc
— EU NEAR???????? (@eu_near) September 16, 2019
The students of the school will carry the values which will strengthen our country and help Georgia finally become an organic part of the EU,” Gakharia said.
Opening the school is one of the 20 deliverables for 2020, as per the EU’s Eastern Partnership Initiative.
The school territory will be stretched on more than 26,000 square meters and it will have a campus for 100 students.