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• EU disburses another €1.5 billion in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine

  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced today that the European Union has disbursed another €1.5 billion in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine.

  “Our support helps keep Ukraine running, while defending itself,” wrote von der Leyen on Twitter. “And puts Ukraine firmly on its EU path by supporting reforms – good governance and financial stability, for example.”

  On 17 January, the European Union disbursed the first €3 billion of the €18 billion of promised macro-financial assistance agreed in December 2022.

  This emergency assistance aims to provide short-term financial relief, financing Ukraine’s immediate needs, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and initial support towards sustainable post-war reconstruction, with a view to supporting Ukraine on its path towards European integration. The loans will have a 10-year grace period. 

  Find out more

  Press release

• Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hosts dinner in honor of EU delegation members

  Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hosted a formal dinner in honor of the EU delegation members currently visiting Georgia.

  The official dinner honoring the diplomats was held at Mtatsminda. The Head of Government and the European diplomats discussed Georgia’s European integration in an informal setting.

  A high-level regional ambassadorial organized by the EU Delegation is about to be held in Tbilisi. Senior officials for the EU’s External Action Service and the European Commission—including the Heads of the EU Delegations to the countries of the Eastern Partnership and Central Asia, also to Turkey and Austria—will participate in the regional ambassadorial.

  The high-level regional ambassadorial of the EU is held periodically and represents an important forum for discussing the EU’s policy toward concrete countries.

  As it was noted at the official dinner, holding the ambassadorial in Georgia demonstrates Georgia’s importance in the region for the EU, including as a strong ally in cementing the cooperation among European and Central Asian countries.

  Press Service of the Government Administration
• Georgia: EU welcomes withdrawal of draft legislation on “foreign influence”

  The EU Delegation to Georgia has welcomed today’s announcement by the Georgian ruling party ‘Georgian Dream” that it would withdraw the draft legislation on the “Transparency of foreign influence”. 

  “We encourage all political leaders in Georgia to resume pro-EU reforms, in an inclusive and constructive way and in line with the 12 priorities for Georgia to achieve candidate status,” the Delegation said on Twitter.

  On 7 March, the bill passed its first reading in the Georgian parliament, despite widespread protests.

  The EU said the law was incompatible with EU values and standards and goes against Georgia’s stated objective of joining the European Union, adding that this is “a very bad development for Georgia and its people”.

  Find out more

  Press release

• China's Kong wins women's freestyle aerials gold at FIS World Championships

  BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's Kong Fanyu won the women's freestyle aerials gold at the 2022-23 season FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships held in Bakuriani, Georgia on Thursday.

  Kong finished first with 85.30 points while Australia's Danielle Scott took silver with 83.84 points.

  The bronze medal went to Ukraine's Anastasiya Novosad who got 82.84 points.

  Gold medalist Kong Fanyu (C) of China, silver medalist Danielle Scott (L) of Australia and bronze medalist Anastasiya Novosad of Ukraine pose during the awarding ceremony of the women's aerials competition at FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia, on Feb. 23, 2023.

  (Photo by Tamuna Kulumbegashvili/Xinhua)

  Source: http://english.news.cn/20230223/105d8005952344f18abf7664066c4fd0/c.html

• Ambassador Herczynski’s message on the one year mark of Russia’s war in Ukraine

  Ambassador Herczynski’s message on the one year mark of Russia’s war in Ukraine. It has been one year since Russia launched its unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
  This ongoing war is an unprecedented violation of fundamental values and principles of international law.
  Ukraine was attacked because it wanted to decide about its future by itself, not with dictate from Moscow.
  According to the UN Charter, as a victim of aggression, Ukraine has the inherent right to defend itself.
  The EU remains resolute, united and determined in our support to Ukraine on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military.
  This is not just an aggression against Ukraine, a sovereign country, but aggression against democracy worldwide.
  This is a threat to all countries, because what is at stake is their independence and sovereignty to make choices based on their own decisions.
  The EU is working towards the widest possible international condemnation and isolation of Russia by the international community. 
  Our unity with like-minded international partners has been unwavering and we are taking unprecedented actions together.
  Georgia has been actively participating in these efforts.
  Six United Nations General Assembly resolutions confirm the international condemnation and isolation of Russia.
  The EU’s support for Ukraine will not diminish the attention to other partners. On the contrary, unequivocal and resolute response to Russia’s war in Ukraine must be maintained to hold the aggressor accountable.
  Georgia’s close cooperation with the EU, based on shared understanding of our common European values is a solid foundation to build an ever stronger EU-Georgia relationship. The EU has given a clear European perspective to Georgia, with concrete steps to receive EU candidate status. This process is merit-based and reform driven.
  At the same time, Russian and other disinformation actors seek to manipulate the information space to echo pro-Kremlin narratives and propaganda, obstruct integration, sow divisions and diminish solidarity. We need to be vigilant, strengthen our resilience and cooperate closely to counter these malicious activities.
  Ukraine is fighting for values the Europe is built on.
  Ukraine’s fight is our fight.
  Ukraine must prevail.
  Glory to Ukraine!