The working visit of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Giorgi Amilakhvari, to Belgium continues. The minister held another meeting with the director general of the Directorate of Education and Culture of the European Commission, Themis Christophidou.

The minister thanked the representative of the European Commission for the fruitful cooperation and for the support of the projects implemented in the field of education and science in Georgia.

During the meeting, Giorgi Amilakhvari discussed the possibilities of charge the same tuition fees to Georgian students enrolled at universities established in the EU member states, as it is offered to students of the EU member states.

The sides discussed the gradual opening of all components of the Erasmus + program for Georgia, as a potential candidate country, and discussed future plans in this direction. The Minister confirmed to the representative of the European Commission that he is fully ready to undertake the necessary commitment and appropriate measures required for accelerated transition of Georgia into the third country associated to the Erasmus+ program.

The Minister stressed the importance of the involvement of Georgian higher education institutions in European Student Card Initiative (ESCI) and European Universities Alliances. According to him, the mentioned initiatives, which are implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, will give Georgian students and universities a unique opportunity to participate in various educational and cultural activities together with their European peers.

Moreover, the sides discussed the application sent by Georgia to join the Eurydice Network. According to Giorgi Amilakhvari, Eurydice Network membership became possible as a result of granting Georgia a European perspective, and this is an important milestone in terms of bringing European standards in the Georgian education system.

Minister Amilakhvari also emphasized the importance of internationalization of education and expressed hope that more mechanisms will be created within the existing partnership between the European Commission and Georgia, in cooperation with Georgian universities and VET institutions, in terms of developing joint/double degree educational programs as well as student and staff exchange projects.

During the conversation, Themis Christophidou, expressed her full readiness to strengthen cooperation with Georgia and to be involved in the implementation of joint educational projects.