An old scallion oil cake store in Shanghai, which has witnessed the changes in Shanghai in the past three decades, is expecting a better new year after the return of urban vitality.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service

Today, the European Union will disburse the first €3 billion of the €18 billion macro-financial support agreed in December. This was announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

“Helping Ukraine meet its financing needs to face the Russian aggression is both crucial and urgent,” von der Leyen wrote on Twitter. “The Commission is acting with utmost speed and determination.”

The aim of this emergency assistance is 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. 

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Ursula von der Leyen’ Tweet

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, accompanied by a delegation, has departed for Switzerland where he will participate in the annual World Economic Forum to be held in Davos.

The Chair of the Legal Issues Committee parliament of Georgia Anri Okhanashvili held a meeting with the EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski.

As A. Okhanashvili noted after the meeting, he informed the Ambassador about the compliance with the EU recommendations and the plans of the Committee.
“We enjoy close collaboration and communication with the EU Ambassador and his visit to the Parliament underlines his commitment to further keeping close cooperation with us. It is truly a positive decision of the Ambassador to meet the Chairs of all Committees”, - he noted.