The EU support intends to contribute to the reduction in regional disparities within Georgia and to stimulate economic growth and regional development throughout the country. Deeper economic integration of Georgia with the EU internal market will be supported, as well as programmes to increase efficiency of social assistance for vulnerable social groups.

Moreover, the assistance programme will support the ongoing Public Finance Management Reform, among others through establishing a modern framework for debt management and supporting the establishment of evaluation systems of the spending of public finances.

Štefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, said: `We encourage the acceleration of the reform efforts in Georgia so that all citizens of Georgia draw concrete benefits from the process of getting closer to the EU, fully enjoying fundamental freedoms, human rights, economic growth and prosperity. I hope that the programme adopted today will contribute to this objective.`