Meeting for the very first time at a high-level meeting in Brussels, the European Commission and the Georgian Government agreed on Wednesday 21 November to strengthen and improve their cooperation.
In order to advance cooperation, within the framework of the Association Agreement, the two sides agreed on 28 concrete actions in three priority areas: (1) economy, trade and connectivity, (2) education, research, innovation and culture and (3) justice and internal security, including civil protection.
New financial support from the EU is key in strengthening this cooperation. For example, one action involves the definition of priority investments, with an EU investment of €3.4 billion for 18 priority transport projects. 100 million euros are also announced to support SMEs access to finance in the local currency and 7.5 million euros to support academic and scientific exchanges.
The actions also focus on energy efficiency, with €27 million in assistance and strengthening the security of Georgian citizens, with a new programme for the same amount.
Two financing agreements were also signed at the meeting: one, worth nearly €48 million, will support skills development in Georgia to meet labour market needs and the other, €49 million, will strengthen economic and business development in the country. This is one of the 28 actions.
Other actions, not quantified, focus on the development of the digital agenda, cybersecurity, rural and agricultural development, education and civil protection.
At their meeting, the Commission and the government discussed the reforms under way in the country, but also its territorial integrity, for which the Commission reiterated its support.
The Association Agreement, which entered into force on 1 July 2016, was also discussed. According to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, between 2016 and 2017, Georgian exports to the EU increased by 23% and European exports to Tbilisi by 1.5%. While welcoming this increase in trade, he hoped that it would develop even further.
The 28 concrete actions are available at: https://bit.ly/2OSp8Gh. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)