Mutual meeting with the European Union Delegation and European Investment Bank took place in the village of Zeniti
“Thank you very much for such a reception in this beautiful village. Today’s meeting clearly shows, how important is the process of digitization for further development of Georgia. For the purpose of strengthening of the regions, European Union (EU) is actively taking part in various projects, in order to share the benefits of digital development with the population of Georgia”- The EU Ambassador to Georgia, Carl Hartzell made such an announcement at a meeting in the village of Zeniti, Kobuleti Municipality, as part of the state program for Universal Internetization, which was attended by the delegations of EU and European Investment Bank (EIB), together with the local government and the representatives of “Open Net”
“Im from the rural part in the north of England and I know precisely, how important development and strengthening is for the villages and I know how difficult it is when the village has no internet access. That is exactly why we are together with you today, and along with other projects, we support the process of digitization of Georgia” – said Lawrence Meredith, Director for the EU`s Eastern Neighborhood and Institution Building.
According to the mayor of the Kobuleti Municipality, Mirian Katamadze, the implementation of the Internetization project has gained even more significance now.
“In the 21st century, the problem with internet isn’t only associated with the information, this is the main source for the realization of the rights guaranteed by the legislation and constitution. This is, first of all, the right to education, which is unconditional and without any exceptions for all of our citizens, and of course, this is the element of strengthening our security, which is crucial for such mountainous villages.”
During the meeting, the director of “Open Net” Mariam Sulaberidze, made a presentation for the members of the delegation, where she introduced them to the executed, ongoing and planned projects within the framework of the state program, as well as discussing future plans for cooperation.
“As you know, EIB is interested in the state program for Universal Internetization and together with the World Bank, is actively planning to participate in the project. First, I would like to thank our guests today and each supporter of this initiative for their support, which is so vital for the development of our country. Together, we are creating an environment, where digital inequality has to end”- said “Open Net” director.
50 km of optic-fiber infrastructure is planned to be built in the Kobuleti Municipality, which will allow further 10,500 inhabitants to have possibility of using quality internet connection.
By the end of 2025, as part of the “Log-In Georgia” project, around 1,000 settlements will be covered by the fiber-optic infrastructure, including high mountainous villages, which will benefit around 500,000 citizens.
