“The economic cooperation between the European Union and Georgia is very strong, building on more than 30 years of a close partnership. The EU is Georgia’s main trading partner. It is also Georgia’s largest foreign donor,” said Nicholas Cendrowicz, Head of the Development and Cooperation Unit of the EU Delegation to Georgia.

According to Nicholas Cendrowicz, per capita, Georgia receives one of the highest levels of assistance of all of the EU’s partners and we currently provide around EUR 85 million of grant funds annually to support Georgia’s ambitious reform agenda.

“The EU works together with Georgian authorities to implement the Economic and Investment Plan, under which the EU has already mobilised EUR 1.9 billion in public and private investments to strengthen digital, energy, and transport connections in Georgia and between Georgia and the EU and support small and medium sized businesses.

The EU is supporting Georgia’s inclusive economic growth, creating employment opportunities for Georgian citizens, connecting people digitally and physically, ultimately to improve life in Georgia.

The opportunity to travel freely to the European countries under a visa-free agreement has also benefitted more than a million Georgians.

With the EU candidate status, economic integration between the EU and Georgia will continue to grow as Georgia approximates its legislation, laws and standards to those of the EU. By moving ever closer to the EU, Georgia will benefit from EU’s forward looking legislation in many areas – the EU Green Deal, the common agriculture policy, the artificial intelligence act, and many more – through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation, and financial support,” he said.

Nicholas Cendrowicz remarked that in the field of agriculture and rural development, Georgia’s candidate status means that it could access more funding as it prepares to integrate the Common Agricultural Policy.

“In general, EU candidate countries receive support and benefits in the agriculture field as a part of the pre-accession assistance. So, Georgia could receive further support to align with the EU food safety rules and the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, at the heart of the EU Green Deal designed to make food systems fair, healthy and sustainable.

Georgia could also gain valuable market access. The acceleration of the implementation of the new regulations ensuring food safety and quality management compliance with EU standards, will support the access of Georgian agricultural products to the international and EU markets.

Georgia could benefit from the Rural Development Initiatives, as the EU places a strong emphasis on rural development. As an EU candidate country, Georgia may receive support for initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing the living and working conditions in rural areas.

In line with the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy, the EU also encourages sustainable farming practices. The accession process should encourage Georgia to adopt measures that promote responsible agroecosystems ensuring fair revenues to the farmers, keeping rural areas attractive and ensuring food security.

Moreover, EU candidate countries often receive support for training programs and capacity building to improve the skills and knowledge of farmers, agricultural professionals and policymakers. This can contribute to the modernisation and efficiency of the agricultural sector.

All this will help Georgia’s agriculture and food production. And given the quality of Georgia’s produce, I look forward to seeing more of these on the shelves of EU shops,” he said.