EU to allocate 180 Mln euros to support for Georgian reforms in 2011-2013
TBILISI. April 8 (Interfax) - In 2011-2013, the European Union will allocate 180.29 million to Georgia to support democratic reforms in this country.
The relevant memorandum of understanding was signed by European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule and Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for European Integration Giorgi Baramidze in Tbilisi on Thursday, a source from the EU delegation to Russia told Interfax.
A significant part of the financial aid will be used to strengthen democratic institutions and reform. Particular focus will be on the freedom of the media, political pluralism, human rights protection and civil society's participation in the country's development.
Part of the funding will be used to continue the reform in the justice system, public administration and governance of public finance, as well as to encourage investment, in particular, for the preparation of an agreement on market reforms and trade, the source said.
It was reported that the EU pledged 480.6 million euros to support the Georgian budget and implementation of various programs as part of the $4.5 billion international financial aid allocated to Georgia by donor countries at a conference in Brussels in October 2008. About 320 million euros from this sum has already been received by Georgia.