Western donors meeting in Brussels are expected to pledge more than $3bn (£1.8bn) to help rebuild Georgia, two months after its conflict with Russia.
Western donors meeting in Brussels are expected to pledge more than $3bn (£1.8bn) to help rebuild Georgia, two months after its conflict with Russia.
Officials from some 70 countries and organisations are attending a conference hosted by the European Commission and the World Bank.
Officials from some 70 countries and organisations are attending a conference hosted by the European Commission and the World Bank.
However, Russia has not been invited to the conference.
However, Russia has not been invited to the conference.
In August, Moscow ousted Georgian troops from Georgia's rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
In August, Moscow ousted Georgian troops from Georgia's rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The Kremlin later recognised the two territories as independent states, drawing criticism from Western nations.
The Kremlin later recognised the two territories as independent states, drawing criticism from Western nations.
Russia is still keeping more than 7,000 troops in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Russia is still keeping more than 7,000 troops in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
As one EU official explained, the donors' conference supports Georgia's territorial integrity and Russia has a different interpretation of that.
As one EU official explained, the donors' conference supports Georgia's territorial integrity and Russia has a different interpretation of that.
'Moral imperative'
'Moral imperative'
The Brussels conference is meant to send a strong signal of support and confidence in Georgia in its hour of need.
The Brussels conference is meant to send a strong signal of support and confidence in Georgia in its hour of need.
Some key donors have already announced their pledges: $1bn (£600m) from the US and $700m (£429m) from the European Commission. More is expected to come from EU governments and international bodies like the World Bank.
Some key donors have already announced their pledges: $1bn (£600m) from the US and $700m (£429m) from the European Commission. More is expected to come from EU governments and international bodies like the World Bank.
Opening the conference, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: "It is what I will describe as the moral imperative to help a neighbour in need. The European neighbourhood policy is more than words, it's about actions."
Opening the conference, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: "It is what I will describe as the moral imperative to help a neighbour in need. The European neighbourhood policy is more than words, it's about actions."
He said that by helping Georgia, a key energy transit country, the EU was also helping itself.
He said that by helping Georgia, a key energy transit country, the EU was also helping itself.
As winter approaches, the focus will be on resettling almost 65,000 refugees whose homes were burned and looted in the war.
As winter approaches, the focus will be on resettling almost 65,000 refugees whose homes were burned and looted in the war.
But much of the aid is for long-term needs, rebuilding infrastructure and restoring the confidence of foreign investors in Georgia's once fast-growing economy.
But much of the aid is for long-term needs, rebuilding infrastructure and restoring the confidence of foreign investors in Georgia's once fast-growing economy.
Spread over three years, it is a hefty bill, amounting to almost $700 (£429) for each one of Georgia's 4.6 million people.
Spread over three years, it is a hefty bill, amounting to almost $700 (£429) for each one of Georgia's 4.6 million people.
Opposition warning
Opposition warning
Critics say an inflow of more than $3bn into such a small country risks fuelling corruption.
Critics say an inflow of more than $3bn into such a small country risks fuelling corruption.
In an open letter to the conference, six Georgian opposition leaders urged donors to strictly monitor the funds allocation.
In an open letter to the conference, six Georgian opposition leaders urged donors to strictly monitor the funds allocation.
They said this would ensure that the money reached the displaced people and helped economic recovery, rather than strengthening the administration of President Mikhail Saakashvili, which they said had provoked Russia's military intervention in August.
They said this would ensure that the money reached the displaced people and helped economic recovery, rather than strengthening the administration of President Mikhail Saakashvili, which they said had provoked Russia's military intervention in August.
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