The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Giorgi Amilakhvari, within the scope of his visit to Brussels, held a meeting with the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Affairs, - Olivér Várhelyi, where the Sides discussed current and planned projects at different levels of education. 

The Minister thanked the European Commissioner for supporting Georgia on the way to the European Union and emphasized the historical importance of giving Georgia a European perspective, which strengthened Georgia's unconditional belonging to Europe and opened the way to the EU membership. Giorgi Amilakhvari focused on the process of implementing the 12 priorities of the European Commission by Georgia and emphasized the importance of granting the country candidate status at the end of the year. 

During the meeting, the discussion also touched upon the existing cooperation between Georgia and the European Union in education and science and the ongoing joint projects.

Furthermore, Minister Amilakhvari provided a detailed information about the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the unique flagship project of the European Union - the Eastern Partnership European School. According to him, the implementation of this idea, which envisages the establishment of an educational institution corresponding to international standards in Georgia, is an important step forward on the way to the European Union. 

Besides, the Sides discussed the planned novelties and new developments in higher education and discussed ways to expand the existing cooperation within the Erasmus+ program. Minister Amilakhvari discussed the implementation of supporting initiatives for the Georgian students. In particular, the Minister underlined the need to develop mechanisms that would allow young people from Georgia to enjoy the same conditions as the European students. 

Moreover, the sides discussed the unified national strategy of education and science of Georgia, a process where the European Union was actively involved in. Giorgi Amilakhvari hoped for continued support from the European Commission in the process of implementing the strategy action plan.

European Commissioner - Olivér Várhelyi thanked the Minister for close cooperation and promised support in the implementation of joint educational projects, which is of utmost importance for accelerating the alignment of the Georgian education and science system with the EU acquis.