First New Format EU-Georgia Meeting Held in Brussels
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 on Wednesday in Brussels.
The European Commission and the Government of Georgia have agreed to further solidify and enhance cooperation, notably through a series of concrete actions.
The European Union and Georgia have agreed to more than 25 concrete actions across three focus areas – economics, education and justice, which will advance cooperation within the framework of the Association Agreement.
Within the framework of the first level of the highest level, several agreements have been signed with the European side, which envisages allocating assistance of € 231 million to Georgia.
The key outcomes of the meeting are as follows:
Economy, Trade and Connectivity
- €3.4 billion for 18 priority transport investment projects in Georgia
- €45 million in Macro-Financial Assistance to support the Georgian economy
- €27 million for enhanced energy efficiency
- Additional support for agriculture and rural development
- Supporting high-speed broadband in Georgia
- €100 million of additional access to financing in local currency for SMEs
Moreover, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani signed a financing agreement worth €49 million for the European Union to support economic and business development in Georgia. Under the agreement, the European Union and Georgia will work together to develop a better legal system for business, modernize financial services, and innovate business models.
Education, research and innovation
- Developing the European School in Tbilisi
- €7.5 million for additional academic and scientific exchanges
Commissioner Hahn and Foreign Minister Zalkaliani also signed a financing agreement on skills development and matching for labor market needs, worth nearly €48 million. Starting in 2019, the EU will help to deliver lifelong learning skills, entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurship opportunities in four Georgian regions, including in Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia.
Justice and Internal Security
- Enhancing cooperation on disaster risk management and civil protection
- €27 million to increase the security of Georgian citizens
- Strengthening Georgia's Cybersecurity
European Commission - #Georgian Government: Key outcomes delivered by the high level meeting -21 November 2018 @EU_Commission @GovernmentGeo pic.twitter.com/mE5CEkuHC0
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) November 21, 2018
By Thea Morrison