Saakashvili expects billions in European aid for buildup

Moscow - Saakashvili expects billions in European aid for buildup Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose country had a brief war with Russia last month, Sunday said he expected billions of euros to help build up his country after the conflict.

"As for as I know, several billion euros will come from Europe and various institutions," Saakashvili said, according to remarks broadcast via state television from Tiblisi.

The European Union has not yet organized a donor's conference, and European Union ministers have called for an investigation of who started the conflict.

Saakashvili said the donations would be more than enough to stabilize the Georgian currency and build up the infrastructure to meet European standards.

This would also help Georgia pursue its goal of joining NATO.

The Georgian central bank estimates the damage from bombardment by the Russian military at around 1 billion dollars - an amount already promised by Washington.

"Georgia is in the center of world politics," the leader said. International support has been overwhelming against Russian "imperialism" and Moscow's attempt to violate the independence of the Abkhazia and South Ossetia, he said. (dpa)

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