Brussels, 06/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 6 May, the European Commission announced the adoption of a €60 million support plan for Georgia and Moldova, to be shared equally (€30 million per country). “This support package will help public institutions, citizens and the business community to seize the benefits and opportunities of the association agreements with the EU, including the possibility of access to the EU market”, the Commission stated in a press release. This additional funding comes under the More for More incentive-based approach, according to states' progress.
The support to Moldova will particularly target the competitiveness of small businesses, the development of national legislation in line with EU standards, the promotion of exports and investment opportunities, and communication and information campaigns on the trade agreement with the EU. The aid to Georgia will be more focused on the modernisation of public institutions linked to the implementation of the association agreement, the competitiveness of rural businesses and trade opportunities with the EU, as well as the protection of the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups.
Before the Commission's official adoption of this support, the Georgian minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Mariam Rakviashvili, welcomed the financing on 2 May that was coming at “a key time for Georgia”. “We are determined to accelerate further the pace of the reforms so as to implement the association agreement and come into line with European standards”, she added. (CG)