Jean-Claude Juncker: More Reforms, More Support for Georgia
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Monday, May 28
(TBILISI) - The more reforms Georgia will carry out, the more support it will receive, - Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, said at a news conference held together with the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili on May 26, on the Independence Day of Georgia in Tbilisi.
He claimed that the EU is playing a “very important role” for Georgia.
“We have come a long way together. I would like to thank Georgia for such European spirit. Georgia is a country that is close to me and Europeans, because we are friends and partners; we have related history and geography.
“Today is a special day for Georgia. The more reforms Georgia carries out, the more support it receives. I would like to announce that 40 million Euros will be allocated within bilateral cooperation. Overall, 597 million have been allocated in 2014-2018. In addition, we will allocate 45 million Euros for microfinance assistance,” Juncker said.
Junker appealed to those who have not yet used the Georgia-EU visa waiver, activated from March 2017, to use the opportunity.
Standing in front of the Georgian soldiers he thanked Georgia for its ‘invaluable role’ in EU peace-keeping operations, serving noble causes.
"Georgia is a proud country, built on the courage and the ambition of its people. In the last century, you took your future in your own hands. You chose hope over fear.
“And you never stopped fighting for your independence and your freedom until it was firmly restored,” Juncker said adding that Georgia has been part of Europe and has always looked towards Europe.
As Juncker said, the EU will always support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
