Fostering Regional Development in Georgia: Insights from EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski

In this interview, we had the opportunity to speak with the EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, who shared his impressions and insights on regional development in the country. Ambassador Herczynski has been serving in Georgia for nearly a year, and while he regrets not having the opportunity to visit all the regions yet, he remains committed to exploring and understanding the diversity within Georgia. With his extensive experience and understanding of the European Union’s cohesion policy, the Ambassador provides valuable perspectives on the current state of regional development in Georgia and its potential for growth. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of creating a positive perception of Georgia and the need for good news to emerge from the country as it progresses towards European integration.

The upcoming issue of Diplomat focuses on regional development in Georgia and different contributions of partners and organizations. Before we delve into the topic, could you please share your impressions of different regions and which region has made the greatest impact on you and why?

First, I have to say that I’m really sorry that in spite of being in Georgia for nearly a year, I still haven’t visited all the regions. However, I am committed to visiting each region of Georgia one by one. The first couple of months were quite busy with various commitments, including meetings with political party leaders and parliamentary committees, as well as high-level visits. Nonetheless, I managed to visit Imereti, we went to Kutaisi and a few weeks ago I visited Batumi and some smaller places in the mountains of Adjara. I also had the opportunity to accompany the Speaker of the Parliament on a trip to Kakheti for wine harvesting with other ambassadors. Although I have visited a few regions, I still feel the need to spend more time and have longer trips in order to truly understand the diversity of Georgia. I have many plans to explore different regions within my stay here, and I hope to visit every region in Georgia.

How do you assess the current state of regional development in Georgia, and in your view, what requires improvement and has the potential in terms of development?

The heavy concentration of population in the capital city is one of the biggest challenges for Georgia. Nearly half of Georgia’s population lives in the capital, which houses the seat of Parliament, government, and the President, making it a major center for everything. There is a need for more balanced development across regions, and the European Union aims to support the population living in the regions. Our focus is on promoting balanced regional development, and we have been providing financial support to various activities and projects that contribute to this goal. During my visits to Mountainous Adjara, and other regions, I have met with local action groups and people who actively participate in ensuring the development of their respective regions.

Let’s discuss the development of one or maybe several regions. Could you provide examples from your country or other countries you’re familiar with and share some insights on how these regions could be developed in terms of Georgia?

The concept of the European Union is about bringing countries together and uniting different regions within those countries. It is based on the notion of solidarity, where richer and more successful regions support the poorer and less developed regions. The European Union’s cohesion policy aims to reduce the disparity between the richest and poorest regions within the EU. Poland, my home country, is a prime example. When Poland joined the EU in 2004, most of its regions were far below the EU average in terms of development. However, within nearly 20 years of Polish membership, several regions have surpassed the EU average. Georgia, once a member of the European Union, would benefit tremendously from this concept and the financial transfers that accompany it. Despite the solid economic growth in recent years, all of Georgia would still be much poorer than the EU average. Therefore, Georgia can expect significant financial flows from the European Union to support regional development, but this requires Georgia’s membership in the EU.

Could you share some statistical data regarding the European Union’s contribution to Georgian development in terms of regional aspects?

Currently, we are running a large-scale program in collaboration with the Georgian government and other partners, with a budget of 54 million euros. This program aims to bridge the divide between cities and villages in Georgia, creating better living conditions and new opportunities. We have supported various initiatives such as building new roads in Kakheti, establishing the Tea route in Guria, promoting tourism development in Racha, and rebuilding cultural sites in Imereti. These initiatives align with the European Union’s principle of ensuring that people in all regions have access to opportunities and services. Additionally, just a few days ago, we launched two major “Team Europe” initiatives. One focuses on balanced territorial development, while the other emphasizes health and the environment, aiming to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities and create new opportunities for people living in the regions. These are just a few examples, but we have been supporting development in Georgia’s regions for many years, allocating approximately 200 million euros annually for initiatives supporting different sectors of Georgian society.

Among the projects implemented with the support of the European Union in Georgia and its regions, are there any that you would like to highlight for their importance or outcomes?

Every single project implemented with the support of the European Union is important and makes an impact, regardless of its size. However, let me provide you with some concrete examples. Thanks to the Association Agreement between Georgia and the EU, 8,000 European standards have already been harmonized in Georgia. We have also helped 300,000 farmers improve their knowledge and skills through agricultural initiatives. Access to 200+ services has been provided to 90,000 people in remote areas through community centers under our Power Program. Furthermore, the first commercial wind farm in the South Caucasus, which produces electricity for 40,000 households, was made possible with our financial support. If you take highway from Tbilisi towards the west, you will pass by these wind turbines. Additionally, more than 11,000 students and university staff members have had the opportunity to study at European Union universities through the Erasmus Plus program. These examples demonstrate the diverse range of projects we have supported, and our work continues with an annual expenditure of approximately 200 million euros on initiatives that benefit various sectors of Georgian society.

During our last meeting in autumn, we discussed 12 priorities given to Georgia by the EU to attain candidate status. At that time, you expressed optimism about Georgia fulfilling these recommendations. What are your thoughts now? In which areas do you see improvements, and where do you have hopes for further progress and improvement?

Yes, in fact, we discussed it some time ago, at the very beginning of the whole process. Now, we are in a moment where the European Commission is drafting the first-ever enlargement report concerning Georgia. Georgia is already an enlargement country, along with Ukraine, Moldova, and six countries of the Western Balkans. This report will consist of 35 chapters and will include the assessment of the state of implementation of 12 priorities. The picture is mixed, with significant progress made on some priorities, while others require further work. One positive aspect is that all political forces represented in the Georgian parliament are clearly in favor of Georgia's integration into the European Union. However, a negative aspect is the lack of a culture of compromise in Georgia.

Since my arrival, I have urged the government to be inclusive and work together with the opposition, providing them with opportunities to participate in the implementation of the 12 priorities. Similarly, I have urged the opposition to engage constructively with the government and contribute their ideas. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of unity among all political forces in Georgia regarding European integration, which is essential to create a perception of Georgia being united and European integration being a national priority. The report will be published in October, and the final decision on the next steps will be taken by the 27 EU member states at the highest political level in December. Personally, I sincerely hope that Georgia will be successful in obtaining candidate status, but the final decision rests with the assessment of the EU member states. Therefore, it is crucial that Georgia makes as much progress as possible on the 12 priorities in the coming months and creates a positive image and perception of Georgia in Brussels, among EU institutions, and in the capitals of the EU member states.

Could you elaborate on the importance of creating a positive perception of Georgia and the need for good news to emerge from the country?

I also express the need for good news coming out of Georgia. Unfortunately, in recent months, Georgia has been in the front page news for negative reasons, which we need to change. This has been my message to all interlocutors and political elites in Georgia. It is crucial that we create positive attitudes towards Georgia as we get closer to December. A positive perception of the country among EU institutions, in Brussels, and in the capitals of the EU member states is essential for Georgia's integration process. We need to highlight the progress made on the 12 priorities and showcase Georgia's commitment to European values, democratic principles, and reforms. By doing so, we can create a favorable environment and increase the chances of Georgia receiving candidate status. It is important to focus on positive developments and work collectively to present Georgia in the best possible light on the European stage.