EU Warns Georgia over Increasing Defense Budget

European Commission said on August 29 that European Neighborhood Policy Action Plans have been successfully negotiated with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia and now await member-state approval, RFE/RL reported.

But the EC has also warned Georgia and Azerbaijan to stop increasing defense budgets.

Speaking at a conference in Slovenia on August 28 EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said ?defense expenditure in the region is going through the roof.? She also said that increase in defense spending is not justified in the region which is ?in desperate need of investment in education, health, and small businesses,? according to the RFE/RL.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner has also called on the regional leaders to refrain from ?inflammatory rhetoric.?

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