PM Gakharia: EU-Georgian Relations are Stronger than Ever
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has expressed gratitude to the EU Commission for providing additional financial support to Georgia during the coronavirus crisis.
“Grateful to the EU Commission for the additional financial support of €150 million during this crisis. Georgia-EU relations are stronger than ever. Special thanks to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles and the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi,” the PM tweeted.
President Salome Zurabishvili also expressed gratitude to the EU Commission.
“A big thank you to the EU for its new commitment of 150 million Euros to help Georgia fight the pandemic. Strong support from Europe, the US and international organizations at this time of crisis show how important international solidarity is," Zurabishvili wrote on social media.
The EU 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.
"I am proud to convey that the European Commission has proposed a third package, in the form of €150 million of loans on highly favorable terms to further help Georgia cover its immediate financing needs. Together with IMF support, our funds aim to enhance macroeconomic stability and create space to allow resources to be channeled towards protecting the Georgian citizens and mitigating the pandemic's negative socio-economic consequences. This support represents an important demonstration of the EU’s and the whole Team Europe’s solidarity with a key partner and friend at a time of unprecedented crisis," EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said in a letter sent to the Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia yesterday.
By Ana Dumbadze
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