The European Union recognizes the initiative of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova to create an "Associated Trio" and supports their aspirations but does not promise any of the country’s membership in education. This is stated in the final statement of the sixth Eastern Partnership Summit, which was held in Brussels on December 15.
"The EU recognizes the initiative of the Trio of Associated Partners, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to expand cooperation with the EU. We consider the European aspirations and the European choice of the relevant partners, as stated in the Association agreements. These agreements create conditions for political association and economic integration with the EU," the document says.
The proposal made at the summit by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova should become a new wave of EU enlargement is not reflected in the final statement. At the same time, the document emphasizes that each participant of the initiative can count on more.
"We affirm the sovereign right of each partner to choose the level of ambitions and goals to which he aspires in his relations with the European Union," the document notes.
Investment plan for the Eastern Partnership
According to the new investment program of the European Commission, Brussels will allocate 2.4 billion euros to five countries of the initiative - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.
The money will be used to support half a million small and medium-sized enterprises, reconstruct roads, fight corruption, support independent media and non-governmental organizations, and other similar purposes.
The funds will be allocated on co-financing terms, which, according to the authors of the program, will help attract up to 17 billion euros to the implemented programs.
"For Georgia, this means strengthening transport, energy and digital connections, including by maximizing the potential of the Black Sea," the press service of the Georgian government reported.
Other important projects, according to their information, include:
* Georgia's accession to the euro single payment zone;
* reduction of roaming prices between the countries of the region and the European Union;
* promoting student and academic mobility;
* Expansion of the youth volunteer program of the European Solidarity Corps, as well as educational Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe.

newsgeorgia.ge