“The EU candidate status is not a gift. It is the result of hard work by you and by your government” - Oliver Varhelyi addresses the Ambassadors’ Conference

“The decision to grant Georgia a candidate status is not a gift. It is the result of many months of hard work by you and by your government and people of Georgia” -  Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement is quoted as saying when  addressing the diplomats participating in the annual conference of ambassadors. The video address was broadcast during the conference.

According to Varhelyi, “The European Union will continue to help and assist you on this  extraordinary journey.

 “We want to accelerate drawing up the economic and investment plan and its flagship projects. 1.8 billion euros were already mobilized in loans, grants and budget support to Georgia under the plan. This plan includes preparation for the Black Sea submarine electricity cable as well as twenty million euros of investment for the digital cable itself. both are vital for strengthening connections between the EU and the South Caucasus. I am also pleased that under the Plan we have already supported 65 thousand Georgian SMEs to reap the full benefits of the Deep and Comprehensive Free and Comprehensive Trade Area” - the European Commissioner said. 

According to him, by continuing the reform path, Georgia will benefit even more from the economic benefits our partnership can bring. “Yet the EU is much more than an offer to support the successful economic partnerships. It is also s peace project. And it stands like no other by democracy and freedom. We count on you to make your own contribution to and be part of this project” - Oliver Varhelyi said.