The European Commission after reviewing the portfolio of European Union projects for Ukraine has earmarked €32.5 million for budgetary support in the spheres of regional development and state administration.
Ukraine’s Ministry for Economic Development and Trade said on its website that despite problems in implementing the program to support Ukraine’s energy strategy, the commission decided to extend it.
“We are thankful for the assistance given to support Ukraine. But now it is necessary to urgently solve several problems. First of all, to introduce electronic registration and to monitor international assistance projects, the European Commission ‘s regular feedback to the ministry on monitoring the current implementation of projects and on conducting new competitions for selecting EU projects announced by the European Commission in Brussels,” the ministry’s website says, citing First Deputy Minister Maksym Nefyodov.
According to the ministry, among priority areas of the assistance portfolio are financing for rule of law – 66 projects totaling €334.5 million, including state service reform – €117.7 million, state finance reform – €66.7 million and bolstering rule of law and the fight against corruption – €42.6 million. The second priority area is local self government, where 97 projects total €319 million. The third priority area is “economic cooperation, energy, infrastructure and environment” – 72 projects totaling €288.5 million. In particular, the financing of energy efficiency projects will amount to €124.9 million, as well as developing trade and the private sector – €64.9 million, energy security and market reforms – €55.5 million.
