EU and UNDP sign $21 million agreement to remove debris and restore critical infrastructure
The European Commission will provide $21 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support work to dismantle infrastructure in Ukraine that has collapsed as a result of Russian aggression.
The funds will also be used to identify, map and neutralise explosive ordnance and urgent environmental threats. They will also be used to repair or purchase strategic elements of infrastructure in the affected areas, such as transformers, thermal substations, water pumps, heat and water pipes, water decontamination systems and renewable energy supply equipment.
“This project will restore power and water stations and heating utilities. These are essential services that will give residents dignified lives and livelihoods at home,” said Manal Fouani, UNDP interim Resident Representative in Ukraine.
“The upcoming winter season will be very harsh and we need to do our utmost to make sure that people and the authorities have the necessary infrastructure operational”, said Matti Maasikas Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
The project is a part of the UNDP Resilience Building and Recovery Programme, launched by UNDP in April 2022 to support the Government of Ukraine to sustain essential governance structures for emergency response management, deliver vital public services, and protect livelihoods.
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Prime Minister’s speech at the General Debate of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
Prime Minister’s speech at the General Debate of the 77th United Nations General Assembly.
"On behalf of the Georgian people, it is an honor to speak to you again at the United Nations General Assembly. As we gather for this 77th Session, we reflect on our founding principles and the progress we have made as an international community since the creation of the United Nations. At the first Session in 1946, the founders vowed to unite to maintain global peace and security.
While we have made significant advances, we must acknowledge the ongoing acts of aggression against members of this body – the very same types of acts that led to the establishment of the United Nations after World War II.
In 2008, my country was attacked by Russia resulting in the ongoing occupation of 20 percent of our territory. At the time, the international community recognized this aggression. But, as we have learned, the world’s democracies must act as one to ensure that freedom and peace prevail.
The UN was founded to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and protect state sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is our duty. It is our promise.
Today, I have the privilege of representing Georgia, a strong, proud, freedom-loving nation that has preserved its sacred heritage and history, while also evolving and adapting to the geopolitical realities of 21st century.
Thirty years ago, Georgia became part of the United Nations family. Now more than ever we are committed to protecting our shared values in our region and worldwide.
We seek all opportunities for collaboration with our international partners to advance the cause of peace. In that regard, the Geneva International Discussions are particularly crucial to bring the Russian Federation to the table to address the implementation of the EU-mediated 2008 Ceasefire Agreement. Georgia appreciates the international community’s support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Though 20% of my country is still occupied by Russia, we do not let this difficult challenge define us. We continue to punch above our weight and contribute to the international community.
Since our government came to power in 2012, we have implemented an ambitious reform agenda that brought us closer to our key international partners, the EU, United States, NATO, and the United Nations. For the first time since we regained independence, Georgia has enjoyed an unprecedented decade of peace, prosperity, and stability.
We are continuously working on Georgia’s global positioning and are already realizing the rewards. According to the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Georgia is 1st in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Open Budget Index ranked Georgia as 1st in the world in terms of budget transparency; and according to the Fraser Institute Economic Freedom of the World 2021, Georgia is among the top 5 economies, along with Singapore and Switzerland. NUMBEO named Georgia one of the world’s safest countries, ranking 14th globally.
Our work to align more closely with the US and Europe goes hand and hand with our commitment to continued democratic transformation. Increased Euro-Atlantic and European integration is our way of returning to the family of European nations, with whom we share history, culture, and most importantly, values.
We are continuing our unequivocal path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Our commitment to these goals is backed up by actions and real results, including an Association Agreement, DCFTA, and visa-free travel with the EU".
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EU formally approves additional €5 billion assistance to Ukraine
The Council of the European Union today formally decided to provide €5 billion of additional macro-financial assistance (MFA) to Ukraine as a matter of urgency.
On 9 September, at an informal meeting of the Ecofin Council in Prague, EU finance ministers agreed to provide an additional €5 billion in assistance for Ukraine. This additional aid was officially approved today after the necessary formal steps were completed in just 11 days.
This financial assistance complements other EU support to Ukraine in the humanitarian, development, customs and defence fields.
This €5 billion macro-financial assistance will be provided to Ukraine in the form of highly concessional long-term loans. It constitutes the second stage in the implementation of the EU’s planned exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine of up to €9 billion, announced by the European Commission this May.
The EU says a decision on the implementation of the third phase of the Union’s exceptional macro-financial assistance of up to €3 billion will be taken shortly, once the structure of this assistance has been determined.
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Georgian Prime Minister attends the opening of the General Debate of the 77th United Nations General Assembly
Georgia’s delegation, led by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, attended the opening of the General Debate of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The participants of the opening session of the General Debate were addressed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the United Nations General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi, and other leaders.
The Head of Georgian Government will address the participants of the 77th General Assembly Session on September 22.
Led by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, the Georgian Delegation consists of Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, Minister of Education and Science Mikheil Chkhenkeli, and Head of the Government Administration Revaz Javelidze.
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EU publishes evaluation on effectiveness and impact of EU’s cooperation with Georgia
The European Union’s cooperation with Georgia was strategically sound and benefited from a strong institutional framework in its design and implementation. This is one of the conclusions presented in the evaluation of EU support to Georgia in 2014-2020, published by the EU Delegation to Georgia on 16 September.
The conclusions also state that a wide range of instruments, modalities and funding channels have been used in the cooperation with Georgia. Progress has been made to promote accountability and transparency, and visa liberalisation has yielded good results. The assessment stresses that public confidence in the European Union remains high. Shortcomings include limited progress in judicial reform as well as in the area of human rights.
The evaluation has been conducted over the two past years by an independent team of evaluators. The work included the review of over 2,000 documents and interviews with close to a hundred stakeholders.
The document provides general recommendations on how to improve the cooperation and detailed recommendations on six priority sectors of EU-Georgia cooperation.
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Georgia: EBRD and EU to unlock funds for locals firms through Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) President Odile Reno-Basso, on a visit to Georgia, has signed agreements with two Georgian banks on loans to local small businesses.
The EBRD will provide new US$ 20 million loans to Bank of Georgia and to TBC Bank to help local firms across the country increase competitiveness and invest in upgrades, including green technologies.
This funding comes under the EU4Business-EBRD Credit Line – a flagship programme that enables borrowers to enhance production and trade more successfully on the international market, as well as advance environmental practices.
MSMEs can access funds in local currency and benefit from incentive grant funding, as well as technical assistance from international advisers, funded by the EU under the EU4Business initiative. Georgian companies will be able to improve their productivity, competitiveness and working environment for their employees.
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