Minister approves country strategy for Estonia-Georgia development cooperation

TALLINN – Estonia's Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets on Wednesday approved the Estonia-Georgia country strategy for 2021-2024, the main goals of which are to strengthen the development of democracy, support entrepreneurship, improve the quality of education and raise climate and environmental awareness.

Georgia has been a priority partner for Estonia in development cooperation since 2006. During this time, Estonia has provided more than 12 million euros to support development in that country, of which more than six million euros was allocated between 2014 and 2020, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

"Capacity-building projects have played a major role in supporting Georgia's development goals -- we have passed on our expertise in good governance, digital capabilities and education," the minister said according to spokespeople.

She said the new country strategy focuses more on long-term strategic goals and existing cooperation in order to support Georgia even more effectively with our experience.

Based on Georgia's development strategy and needs, the main areas of development cooperation between Estonia and Georgia until 2024 are the strengthening of democratic state structures and systems, support for entrepreneurship, improving the quality of education, and greater attention to climate and environmental issues.

"In the field of promoting democracy, our aim is to help shape transparent policies that support open governance, human rights and social inclusion. Drawing on our knowledge and experience, we want to support the modernization of Georgia's education system and the development of small business for young people, women and people living in rural areas," Liimets said.

It is also important for Estonia to help raise awareness of climate and the environment and to support climate-friendly projects and projects promoting the green economy.

At a virtual event, the country strategy for Georgia was presented by the foreign minister of Estonia, Georgia's Ambassador to Estonia Archil Karaulashvili, Estonia's Ambassador to Georgia Riina Kaljurand, director general of the Foreign Ministry's department for international economic cooperation and development cooperation Juri Seilenthal and representatives of the Estonian Center for International Development Cooperation, the UNICEF office in Georgia and the Donor Coordination Unit at the office of the prime minister of Georgia.