European Commissioners, headed by President Jean-Claude Juncker, along with members of the Government of Georgia, led by Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, held a high-level meeting today in Brussels.
With discussions taking place across the whole spectrum of EU-Georgia relations, the European Commission and the Government of Georgia have agreed to further solidify and enhance cooperation, notably through more than 25 concrete actions across three focus areas, which will advance cooperation within the framework of the Association Agreement.
“Today is another very special milestone in our partnership”, said President Jean-Claude Juncker. “Georgia is a proud country, built on the courage and ambition of its people. Georgia’s commitment and desire to step-up its cooperation with the European Union shows that our relationship is a priority; today, we have agreed on many ways in which we as the European Commission can return this commitment, in concrete terms. The more Georgia reforms, the more we will support. You can count on the European Union to believe in Georgia’s future, and to firmly defend its territorial integrity.”
Among 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. 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.
