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Georgia

Donors pledge 4.5 billion for Georgia

Article published on the 2008-10-22 Latest update 2008-10-22 14:50 TU

Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.(Photo: Reuters)

Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
(Photo: Reuters)

State and private donors gathered in Brussels committed to 4.55 billion dollars (3.53 billion euros) in aid to Georgia Wednesday, including total of 2.8 billion euros that came from public coffers, an impressive sum "especially in difficult times", said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

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Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze said that he was "deeply moved and humbled by the demonstration of solidarity that we have received."

European Commission president José Manuel Barroso told international representatives that they have a “moral imperative” to help Georgia after this summer’s war with Russia.

67 countries as well as the International Monetary Fund, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank attended the conference seeking to raise 3.25 billion dollars (2.4 million euros) to rebuild Georgia and boost its economic growth.

Barroso pledged 500 million euros over three years for reconstruction on behalf of the EU Commission during his opening address, saying that the fate of Georgia – which is officially a candidate for EU membership – and Europe’s are inextricably linked.

The United States was the biggest donor, committing to one billion dollars (770 million euros) over three years.

Japan announced 151 million euros in aid for infrastructure, saying that the international community had a role to play in the revitalisation of the region.

Germany added 33.7 million euros and France seven.

Even though the conflict following the Russian invasion of Georgia on 8 August has largely subsided, Russia still controls access to some Georgian regions. If aid is to be effective, it must be allowed to reach all affected regions, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.

Citing the district of Akhalgori and the village of Perevi, Kouchner said that “the first step should be that observers are allowed to enter these regions.”