EU to Support Georgia with €183 million in Fight against Coronavirus
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union and Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia held a telephone conversation on April 21.
The sides discussed issues related to the new coronavirus and social and economic consequences.
They expressed their mutual solidarity, and High Representative Borrell emphasized the EU’s support to Georgia to face the crisis.
It was also agreed that the EU and Georgia will intensify relations in the future.
During the conversation, it was once again confirmed that the European Union will allocate more than EUR 183 million to Georgia within the framework of the global reaction to COVID-19 pandemic and assistance to Eastern Partnership countries.
"As part of the EU’s global response to the coronavirus outbreak, a support package for the six Eastern Partnership countries has been put in place totaling €80 million for immediate needs in the health sector and €883 million for short-term needs for socio-economic recovery. Out of this support, Georgia will specifically benefit from over €183 million of redirected bilateral funds.
"In view of the comprehensive partnership between the EU and Georgia, which is based on the ambitious Association Agreement, the High Representative and the Prime Minister agreed to further strengthen the relationship and looked forward to meeting at the next Association Council as soon as circumstances allow.
“The European Union is a strong supporter of Georgia's reform process. It also firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. In this context, recent “borderisation activities” along the Administrative Boundary Line of the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia are completely unacceptable”, reads the press release.
In the conversation with the High Commissioner, Prime Minister of Georgia expressed hopes for returning to the usual way of cooperation and for holding an EU-Georgia Association Council Meeting in the foreseeable future, which was originally scheduled to take place in Brussels on April 23, 2020. Nevertheless, it was postponed due to the pandemic. Also, Head of Government of Georgia invited High Commissioner to Georgia as soon as the circumstances allow.
During the phone conversation, dignitaries reviewed the current topics of EU-Georgia relations, thereby stressing the significance of continued effective execution of the Association Agreement (AA), which serves as a basis for the EU integration of the country. Dignitaries also expressed the readiness to further intensify cooperation in a whole range of areas, followed with a discussion of prospects ahead of the Eastern Partnership (EaP).
Prime Minister of Georgia stressed the importance of new, ambitious goals to be defined at the upcoming Summit in 2020 so that Georgia and other aspiring countries embrace more prospects of EU integration. Particular attention was made on the effective engagement of the EU in the peaceful resolution of the Russian-Georgian conflict. Head of Government of Georgia expressed his gratitude to the EU for solid support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as for the efforts demonstrated in the peace-making process.
Unlawful and destructive actions of Russia and its occupation regime in Abkhazian and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia have been discussed in detail, which further worsen the already heavy local conditions in terms of security and humanitarian needs. Prime Minister of Georgia expressed anxiety about a subsequent provocation witnessed in Takhtisdziri Village prior to Easter, thereby labeling the erection of barbed wire and artificial obstacles along the occupation line as well as the unlawful detention and kidnapping of local residents as targeted attempt of escalation and destabilization from the side of Russia.
Dignitaries underlined the need for Russia to execute the Ceasefire Agreement concluded with the mediation of the EU on August 12, 2008, and progress to be achieved within the Geneva International Discussions (GID) for strengthening peace and security within Georgia and Eastern Europe.
Prime Minister of Georgia reiterated to the High Representative that Georgia remains to be a dedicated partner of the EU in the region and stressed the significance of intensified cooperation for security, including the fight against hybrid threats held in the context of overall cybersecurity and mitigated disinformation.
By Ana Dumbadze