The countries contributing to the International Cooperation Account for Chernobyl have announced the allocation of about EUR7 million for the development of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukrainian Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Svitlana Hrynchuk said on Facebook.
“Canada has announced its plans to transfer EUR 5 million from the fund that was recently closed in Russia. The European Commission is adding EUR 1.7 million to the EUR 5 million that was previously provided. Belgium’s contribution will also be added. “The meeting adopted important decisions, namely the creation of a Project Management Group for more effective implementation of grant agreements, and agreed on the direction of work on dismantling unstable structures of the Shelter,” the Minister said about the results of the meeting of the Assembly of Account Holders organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
She clarified that the depositors’ funds will be used to restore the equipment of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant destroyed and damaged during the Russian occupation.
Hrynchuk reminded that these are not the first contributions to the account. Earlier, Ukraine has already received more than EUR 26 million from 18 contributing countries.
The Minister assured that work on the restoration of the Chornobyl zone will continue. Thus, on June 5, the law of Ukraine on ratification of the Framework Agreement between Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the operation of the International Cooperation Account for Chornobyl came into force. In addition, Ukraine has a wide range of opportunities for partnership in nuclear safety. Plans for 2025 include signing new grant agreements and implementing joint projects.
Some Ukrainian refugees will receive less support from Slovakia starting in March 2025, after lawmakers approved minor amendments to immigration legislation in late November – the Foreigners’ Residence Act and the Asylum Act, the Slovak Spectator reported.
“Starting March 1, 2025, people who received Ukrainian refugee status after February 28, 2025, will be allowed to stay in shelters for no more than 60 days, compared to the current 120 days. Similarly, the accommodation allowance will be limited to the first 60 days, not 120 days, as it has been since July this year,” the statement said.
The changes will not apply to vulnerable groups: pensioners over 65, children under five, or single guardians of these children.
The government claims that these measures will allow the Ministry of the Interior to save EUR2 million, a necessary step given the current pressure on public spending.
Slovakia’s Deputy Interior Minister Peter Krauspe defended the changes, noting that Ukrainian refugees usually find work and housing within two months of arriving in Slovakia. “We need to save money wherever possible,” he said.
Opposition MPs, however, said the cuts were excessive, noting that neighboring countries provide support for up to 90 days. They also criticized the lack of transparency and consultation in making these last-minute changes.
Electricity exports to Europe in November decreased by 31% compared to October and were almost four times lower than imports, according to DiXi Group, a Ukrainian think tank in the areas of politics, energy and security, citing Energy Map.
“Last month, electricity exports fell by 31% to 41.9 thousand MWh,” DiXi Group said in a Facebook post.
According to it, 30% or 12.7 thousand MWh went to Slovakia, another 23% (9.4 thousand MWh) to Hungary. 19% (8.1 thousand MWh and 7.8 thousand MWh) went to Moldova and Romania. 9% (3.9 thousand MWh) went to Poland.
According to DiXi’s information, imports amounted to 162.4 thousand MWh, which is 11% less than in October and almost four times more than exports.
DiXi explained that exports fell in the second half of last month, while imports increased due to Russia’s massive attacks on energy infrastructure on November 17 and 28, which led to a shortage in the power system.
As reported, according to D.Trading, in November-2024, Ukraine remained a net importer of electricity, and its imports amounted to 165 million kWh, which is 9% lower than in October.
As DiXi reported earlier, in October-2024, Ukraine exported 60.7 thousand MWh instead of 0.7 thousand MWh in September.
Despite the overall shortage of electricity caused by 11 massive Russian attacks on the power system this year, at certain hours, in particular, during the active operation of renewable energy generation, as well as at night, Ukraine has a surplus, which allows for exports. An alternative to exports is, in particular, a forced limitation of electricity production from renewable energy sources, which should be compensated by NPC Ukrenergo. Due to the surplus, other types of generation should also reduce their capacity.
Real GDP percentage changes over previous period in 2014-2024
Open4Business.com.ua
The eurozone economy grew by 0.4% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous three months, according to a report by the European Union Statistical Office (Eurostat).
This is the highest quarterly increase in two years. The consensus forecast of experts surveyed by Trading Economics also assumed that GDP growth would remain at 0.4%.
In annualized terms, the eurozone’s GDP grew by 0.9% in July-September, which also coincided with market expectations. In the second quarter, the euro area economy grew by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter and 0.5% year-on-year. In the third quarter, consumer spending in the euro area increased by 0.7% compared to the previous three months, government spending by 0.5%, and gross fixed investment by 2%. Exports decreased by 1.5%, while imports increased by 0.2%.
Germany’s GDP in the third quarter increased by 0.1% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 0.3% in annual terms, France’s increased by 0.4% and 1.2% respectively, Italy’s remained unchanged quarter-on-quarter and increased by 0.4% in annual terms.
The EU economy in July-September grew by 0.4% compared to the second quarter and by 1% compared to the same period last year.
Earlier, the Experts Club think tank released a video analysis of the economies of Ukraine, Europe, and the world, see the video on the Experts Club YouTube channel for more details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grE5wjPaItI
http://relocation.com.ua/ekonomika-ievrozony-v-tretomu-kvartali-2024-roku-zrosla-na-0-4/
