The EU High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, on Thursday, held a press point in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, saying the EU’s commitment to Georgia was also manifested through financial support.

Borrell noted that the EU was the “largest provider” of bilateral assistance with almost € 314 million during the period of 2021-2024.” And through our Economic and Investment Plan, around €1.3 billion in investments is being leveraged.  ”

In his speech, Borrell stressed that EU investment in Georgia was increasing the nation’s resilience.

“Also, from a geopolitical point of view, I will discuss with my interlocutors the negative consequences of Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine and reiterate the clear European support to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

I am also here to mark the 15 years of continuous support and continuous presence of our EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) on the ground. This mission has been working day and night to provide security and peaceful conflict resolution. They started in 2008 and since then, the mission has been patrolling and monitoring every day the areas adjacent to breakaway regions. I will have the pleasure to visit them in the field tomorrow, after the meetings here in Tbilisi.

What we are seeing is that our investment in Georgia is increasing your resilience. We have also a strong cooperation on security and defence – something very important in these troubled times.

I want to recognise the important contribution that Georgia has provided to our European Union Common Security and Defence policies and [our] efforts [to strengthen] the Georgian defence forces via the European Peace Facility (EPF) that will provide about €60 million to increase the resilience and capacity of your army.

As you see, this is going to be a dense visit. I am looking forward to the very interesting exchanges that I will have with the Georgian authorities and society,” he stated.