High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell and EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Olivér Várhelyi
In this challenging time, marked by the coronavirus outbreak, we can see how important international cooperation is. Over the last decade, the Eastern Partnership has brought concrete benefits for people in Georgia and across the European Union’s eastern neighbourhood. In particular:
- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Georgia’s economy, and since 2009, EU support has helped over 40,000 Georgian SMEs and microenterprises access loans on better terms to develop their activities, increase incomes and create jobs;
- Since 2013, EU assistance to link Georgia’s education programmes to market needs have helped over 30,000 Georgians find employment through more relevant vocation education courses and labour market tools such as Worknet.ge;
- Over 90,000 Georgians living in smaller towns and villages have easier access to 200 public and banking services as well as free internet and libraries through the EU’s support to the establishment of 76 Government Community Centres throughout the country
- Under Erasmus+, almost 7,500 students and academic staff exchanges have taken place between Georgia and the EU. Over 9,300 young people and youth workers from Georgia have been involved in joint exchanges, training and volunteering projects.
To ensure our partnership continues to deliver in the fast changing world of today, we need to do even more and better. To shape our priorities, we consulted last year with people, businesses, organisations and governments of 33 countries from across our shared region. While there was an appreciation for the results achieved, there was also a clear expectation that we enhance our cooperation when it comes to jobs and prosperity, investments, connectivity, good governance and common challenges such as climate change and the digital transformation.
And now we presented our response to these consultations with long-term objectives for our policy beyond 2020. Our continued engagement with the Eastern Partnership countries remains a key priority for the European Union. Our proposals for the future are ambitious yet achievable. They build on existing cooperation but also identify areas where we need to go further. They are built on fundamental values as the heart of the EU project, such as the rule of law, protection of human rights and fight against corruption.
Concretely, we are proposing to our partners to work together on the following objectives:
- Together for resilient, sustainable and integrated economies: Strengthening the economy is key to meeting citizens’ expectations and reducing inequality and for making our partnership a success. We will focus on job creation and economic opportunities, through increased trade, investments, stronger connectivity, in particular in transport and energy, and linking education, research and innovation better with private sector needs.
- Together for accountable institutions, the rule of law and security: Good governance and democratic institutions, the rule of law, successful anti-corruption policies and security are essential for sustainable development and the consolidation of democracy. They are the backbone of resilient states and societies as well as strong economies.
- Together for environmental and climate resilience: To protect our world for generations to come, we all need to take responsibility. The EU will work with its partners to improve the resource-efficiency of economies, develop new green jobs and promote local and renewable sources of energy.
- Together for a resilient digital transformation: The EU will further invest in the digital transformation of our partners, aiming to extend the benefits of the Digital Single Market to partner countries. Our joint work will also focus on strengthening e-Governance, scaling up digital start-ups and supporting the cyber resilience of partner countries.
- Together for resilient, fair and inclusive societies: Free and fair elections together with transparent, citizen-centred and accountable public administrations are essential for democracy. The EU will continue to focus on these key areas, engaging with civil society, which needs to be given sufficient space, and supporting free, plural and independent media and human rights, as well as ensuring mobility and people-to-people contacts, all particularly important also due to growing disinformation against EU values.
Over the past decade, trade between the EU and its eastern partners has nearly doubled. Over 125,000 small and medium-sized businesses have directly benefitted from EU funding, creating or sustaining more than 250,000 jobs. We are better connected thanks to improved transport links and easier access to high capacity broadband. And according to recent surveys, the EU is the most trusted international institution among Eastern Partnership citizens. We will keep this results-oriented approach and look to do much more together in the face of today’s challenges, including when it comes to crises such as COVID-19 pandemic.
And through this we will build an even more ambitious Eastern Partnership that delivers for all and continues to bring our shared continent closer together.
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A MEETING TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL
On September 18, 2023, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with the President of the European Council Charles Michel in New York.
As the head of state noted, Turkmenistan attaches great importance to strengthening friendly ties and constructive dialogue with the EU, which is expanding every year, covering new areas of interaction.
In this context, the successful cooperation of Turkmenistan with this international structure, both in a bilateral format and within the framework of the European Union - Central Asia Dialogue, was emphasized.
The European Union is a long-time partner of Turkmenistan in the implementation of a number of specialized projects and programs aimed at solving priority tasks for the further economic and social development of our country, including in the field of legislation, education, information and communication technologies, agriculture and water management, environmental protection, climate change, the head of state emphasized.
At the same time, it was noted that currently leading European companies are represented in many sectors of the Turkmen economy - in the oil and gas complex, transport, electricity, construction, communications and communications.
During the conversation, an interested exchange of views took place on the prospects for further interaction in the context of its key aspects and the existing diverse potential.
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Borrell visits EU Monitoring Mission to Georgia to highlight its 15-year presence in the country
On 8 September, during his visit to Georgia, EU High Representative Josep Borrell met with observers of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia to mark the 15th anniversary of the mission’s presence in the country.
“EUMM’s presence over the past 15 years stands as a testament to the EUs long-term commitment to fostering peace and security in Georgia and the wider region. For a decade and a half, the EUMM has played a pivotal role in ensuring stability and reducing tensions in this region,” said Borrell. “The EU’s dedication to fostering regional peace and stability in the South Caucasus region remains resolute.”
Borrell joined an EUMM patrol to the South Ossetian Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) near Khurvaleti. In Khurvaleti, Borrell witnessed first-hand the negative impact of border structures, including fences, barbed wire and watchtowers, on the freedom of movement of the local population. EUMM observers described the complex problems arising from the closure of the crossing points on the South Ossetian section of the ABL during the first twenty days of each month.
“Had the opportunity to see the Administrative Boundary Line and to talk to affected people on the ground. They are the ones who pay the highest price of this conflict,” Borrell wrote on X (former Twitter) after the visit.
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‘Crucial time for Georgian future’: Borrell comes to Tbilisi to discuss country’s European path
EU High Representative Josep Borrell, visiting Georgia today, held a series of meetings on EU-Georgia co-operation and Georgia’s European perspective.
Speaking at his first press conference yesterday after arriving in Tbilisi, Borrel said this was “a crucial time” for Georgia’s future because in a few weeks, the European Union would consider the next steps in Georgia’s path to the European Union and, for the first time, the report on Georgia’s progress as an enlargement country.
“I want to be very clear in that important moment: the European Union’s door is open to Georgia and the European Union is committed to supporting Georgia on its path towards European Union membership,” said Borrell.
Today, Borrell met Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia, to discuss Georgia’s path to the EU, as well as the regional security situation.
He also met Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to “pass three messages”: “time must be used wisely now to advance reforms”, the EU welcomes Georgia’s support for Ukraine, and it remains steadfast in its support for Georgia’s territorial integrity.
The EU High Representative visited the Georgian Parliament to meet the representatives of all the political parties present in the Parliament. At the meeting, Borrell said that “polarisation is part of political life, but needs to be measured. All political parties must cooperate to advance the reform agenda”.
Finally, Borrell had an “important meeting” and “useful dialogue” with civil society representatives in Georgia. “Impressed by their work. Ensuring involvement of CSOs in the decision-making processes at all levels is key,” wrote Borrell on X (formerly Twitter) after the meeting.
Tomorrow, the High Representative will visit the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia and participate in mission activities along the Administrative Boundary Line, organised by the EUMM.
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VIDEO/Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hosts dinner in honor of Josep Borrell
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hosted a dinner in honor of Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission.
The dinner honoring Josep Borrell was served on Mtatsminda. The Head of Government and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy discussed Georgia’s European integration in an informal setting.Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, arrived in Tbilisi on September 7.Within the scope of the visit, both face-to-face and extended-format meetings between Irakli Garibashvili and Josep Borrell are scheduled, to be followed by a joint press conference.Press Service of the Government Administration -
High Representative Josep Borrell travels to Georgia
The EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell will travel to Georgia on 7-8 September. His first official visit to the country in the current capacity will provide the opportunity to discuss progress on Georgia’s European integration path, and exchange views on wider foreign policy and regional matters.
During the visit, the High Representative will be received by Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia. The HR/VP will also meet Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili. Following the meeting with the Prime Minister, a joint press conference will be held.
He will also hold a meeting with Ilia Darchiashvili, Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs. The HR/VP will also take the opportunity to meet with representatives of all political parties present in the Parliament and hold discussions with civil society representatives.
The HR/VP will during his visit mark 15 years of EUMM presence in Georgia, reflecting the EU’s commitment to Georgia’s security and peaceful conflict resolution. He will participate in mission activities along the Administrative Boundary Line, organised by the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM).
Follow also @JosepBorrellF and @eu_eeas for further information.
