EU to Allocate Extra €40m for Georgia

The European Union has said it will allocate an extra €40 million to Georgia this year for the development of their mutual relations.

The statement was made by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, at the joint press-conference with the Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili during his visit to Tbilisi on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the First Democratic Republic on May 26.

“I am pleased to announce that we are to allocate an additional €40 million for 2018 bilateral relations. Overall, we have allocated €597 million in support to Georgia from 2014 to 2018. In addition to this, we have an opportunity to give €45 million towards financially supporting the country,” the President of the European Commission stated.

Juncker added that since March 28, 2017, when the visa-free regime with Georgia was activated, more than 353,000 Georgians have traveled into the Schengen Area.

“I promised the Prime Minister a year ago that Europe will always stand beside Georgia. The more reforms it implements, the more support it will see from us,” he added, going on to note that that Georgia has achieved a lot in a very short period.

“Georgia is close to my heart, close to the hearts of Europeans, because we are historically and geographically friends and partners,” he stated while congratulating Georgians on their Independence Day.

“Georgia and the European Union always stand up for each other… I also want to thank you for Georgia's valuable role in EU peacekeeping operations, serving noble causes,” Juncker added.

The Georgian PM thanked the European Commission President for his special role in assisting Georgia.

“It is important to underline the EU's most important role in maintaining peace and stability. Georgia is very grateful for the consistent position of the EU in respect of the protection and recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said.

After joint statements, Giorgi Kvirikashvili and the President of the European Commission made memorable inscriptions on the EU special banner and took photos with the EU volunteers.

By Thea Morrison