EU unlocks extra cash for Moldova, Georgia
(BRUSSELS) - The European Union on Tuesday unlocked 60 million euros to help bolster ties with east European friends Georgia and Moldova, who along with Ukraine hope to draw closer to the West.
The EU's executive said Moldova's 50 percent share was earmarked to help state institutions and business "seize the benefits" of trade with the EU, while Georgia's would help modernise public entities and protect the right of minorities.
Both former Soviet satellites are set this summer to sign wide-ranging trade and political "association agreements" with the EU, as is Ukraine, and have sizeable Russian-speaking minorities.
The EU had hoped to draw a total six former Soviet satellites into its Eastern Partnership programme. But Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus decided to turn back towards Moscow.
Ukraine's ousted leader Viktor Yanukovych suddenly backed out of the programme in November, triggering protests which quickly brought him down and led to the current crisis. But Moldova and Georgia have stood firm.