On 21 April, High Representative Josep Borrell had a phone call with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia.

During the meeting, High Representative Borrell and Prime Minister Gakharia discussed the coronavirus outbreak, including the handling of the pandemic and its socio-economic consequences. They expressed their mutual solidarity, and High Representative Borrell emphasised the EU’s support to Georgia to face this crisis. As part of the EU’s global response to the coronavirus outbreak, a support package for the six Eastern Partnership countries has been put in place totalling €80 million for immediate needs in the health sector and €883 million for short-term needs for socio-economic recovery. Out of this support, Georgia will specifically benefit from over €183 million of redirected bilateral funds.

In view of the comprehensive partnership between the EU and Georgia, which is based on the ambitious Association Agreement, the High Representative and the Prime Minister agreed to further strengthen the relationship and looked forward to meeting at the next Association Council as soon as circumstances allow.

The European Union is a strong supporter of Georgia's reform process. It also firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. In this context, recent “borderisation activities” along the Administrative Boundary Line of the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia are completely unacceptable.