European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili held a press conference after their meeting today, discussing economic recovery, Georgia’s judicial and electoral reforms, Civil.ge reports.

Commissioner Várhelyi said the 27-member bloc has identified “connectivity” as Georgia’s key vulnerability, and the EU’s new Economic and Investment Plan for the country will be targetted at improving transportation, infrastructure, access to electricity and internet, as well as links across the Black Sea to benefit from its “unused” potential.

He expressed his hope that Georgia has left behind its political crisis, to focus on economic recovery and further development, pledging EU support in the process. The Enlargement Commissioner argued the new Plan could allow Georgia to “skip some of the development stages” and catch up with the 27-member-bloc.

The Plan envisages allowing Georgia to attract EUR 3.9 billion in funds, of which EUR 1.175 billion will be a grant, while the rest will be provided via investments and loans.

Besides the economy, Commissioner Várhelyi highlighted the importance of election and judiciary reforms in Georgia. Highlighting that reforms related to the rule of law are “fundamental” to EU-Georgia cooperation, the Commissioner said: “We will need to press ahead.”

 

Source - vesnikkavkaza.net 

#GEORGIA

#ECONOMY

#POLITICS

#SECURITY

#GARIBASHVILI

#DIPLOMACY

#EUROPEAN

#IRAKLI

#COMMISSION

08.07.2021 12:18