The trade and development minister, Mogens Jensen, has announced he will increase the aid given to Georgia after it was among the three nations (also Ukraine and Moldova) to sign association and trade agreements with the EU on June 27.

The aid given to Georgia will be increased from 5 to 25 million kroner annually in order to support the country’s efforts to strengthen its democracy and financial development.

”Georgia, like Ukraine and Moldova, has with its signature on Friday sent an important signal that it wants a closer bond with the EU,” Jensen said in a press release.

“Georgia faces a number of essential reforms to strengthen its democracy, adapt and promote its private sector development, and reform its public sector in accordance with EU legislation.”

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A 'priority nation'
As part of the decision, Georgia has replaced Armenia as a ‘priority nation’ in the EU European Neighbourhood Policy's (ENP) current strategy lasting from 2013 to 2017.  

Via the ENP, the EU works with its southern and eastern neighbours to achieve the closest possible political association and the greatest possible degree of economic integration. This goal builds on common interests and on values: democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and social cohesion.

The six other ENP ‘priority nations’ are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova.