New EU support for trade, private sector development and justice reform in Georgia
(Brussels, 17 July) - Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, will visit Georgia tomorrow to participate in the ratification of the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) by the Georgian Parliament.
During his visit, the Commissioner will also announce new EU financial support for Georgia that will target trade, private sector development and justice sector reform. The programme is designed to contribute to further political association and economic integration with the EU under the Eastern Partnership initiative.
“With the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, Georgia needs to implement a series of reforms to move closer to EU standards. The new funding confirms our strong support to modernisation efforts and the country’s ambitious goal of getting closer to the EU” – said Stefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.
This fresh EU funding will assist Georgia in the implementation of the DCFTA. It will support small businesses, enabling them to gain the positive effects (such as benefitting from increased trade flows, better safety of consumer products, and a boost in the inflow of foreign direct investment) of the agreement. The funding will also contribute to further strengthening core trade institutions, whose ability to function well is critical for the correct implementation of DCFTA requirements over the next few years. It will ensure a smooth continuation of reforms in priority trade-related areas such as food safety, consumer protection, market surveillance and competition. This process will create enhanced economic opportunities for all, including vulnerable groups such as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
In the justice sector, the new EU assistance is expected to improve the administration of justice, consolidate the rule of law and strengthen human rights’ protection in line with international and European standards. It will contribute to consolidate the independence, professionalism, impartiality and efficiency of the judiciary, access to justice and right to fair trial.
Background
The Eastern Partnership is the main policy framework for EU-Georgia relations. It represents the Eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy and aims to bring Georgia closer to the European Union. The Association Agreement (including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area) has been signed on 27 June this year.
The EU annual support package for Georgia (Annual Action Programme 2014), contributes to the Eastern Partnership objectives. It provides €101 million of bilateral allocation to Georgia for two actions:
1. Support to the EU-Georgia DCFTA and to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (€51 million): The action will facilitate trade reform and private sector development, with a particular focus on SMEs. Georgian SMEs will benefit from grants and services, increasing their understanding of the DCFTA and strengthening their exports to the EU.
2. Support to Justice Sector Reform (€50 million): Since 2008, the EU has been supporting Georgia in deeply rooting the rule of law, and promoting key reforms of justice. Georgian authorities have achieved remarkable progress in some areas, such as improved juvenile justice, rehabilitation and reintegration of young offenders into society and a significant reduction of the prison population. However, these are long-term processes and a number of gaps still need to be addressed. The new programme will contribute to consolidate the independence, professionalism, impartiality and efficiency of the judiciary, as well as access to justice and right to a fair trial.
The Annual Action Programme 2014 complements the €30 million support adopted in May 2014 (see details), which focused on: the modernisation of public institutions, the competitiveness of rural business and trade opportunities with the EU, and the protection of the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups.
For more information
Website of DG Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid (Eastern Partnership webpage)
Delegation of the European Union to Georgia
Closer to the EU: additional funding for Georgia and Moldova
The EU's Association Agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine (27 June 2014)