European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell says that the European Commission has paid the first EUR4.5bn from the Ukrainian fund totaling EUR50bn.
He made the announcement on Wednesday in Brussels at a press conference at the end of the EU-Ukraine Association Council.
“Today we made the first disbursement of EUR4.5bn from the EUR50bn Ukrainian Aid Fund to support Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernization. Tomorrow the European Council will discuss how to further accelerate Ukraine’s accession (to the EU),” Borrell said.
European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell will visit Ukraine on January 4-6.
As the press service of the European Commission reported on Monday, “his first trip abroad this year testifies to the EU’s strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at a time when the country is faced with a Russian military buildup and hybrid actions.”
Borrell, accompanied by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, is expected to first visit eastern Ukraine and the disengagement line. Then he will travel to Kyiv, where he will meet with the Ukrainian authorities.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, during his talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, confirmed his intention to visit Ukraine in the near future, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has said.
“Josep Borrell confirmed his intention to visit Ukraine in the near future at the invitation of Dmytro Kuleba, including a visit to Donbas,” the message posted on the website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Thursday says.
The minister informed the interlocutor in detail about the security situation in the temporarily occupied territories and along the state border of Ukraine, the threat of Russia’s preparation for a new wave of aggression against Ukraine.
Kuleba also called on the EU to accelerate work on the development of mechanisms for a comprehensive package of restraining the Russian Federation from further aggressive actions, including tough economic sanctions against Russia in the event of an expansion of aggression.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the EU for its long-term support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, efforts to strengthen the stability of the Ukrainian economy and enhance the security of Ukraine.
The European Union’s position to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is unchanged, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said. High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell gave such assurances to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba during a telephone conversation on Tuesday, April 21 before the meeting with EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, which will also consider the Ukrainian issue. This was announced by the EU press service on Wednesday.
“High Representative Borrell underlined the EU’s steadfast support to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He welcomed Ukraine’s continued reform efforts, highlighting in particular the importance of the banking law in this regard,” the message reads.
He also highlighted the EU’s support to Ukraine in response to the coronavirus outbreak. EUR 190 million has been allocated to Ukraine, to support the health sector and social and economic recovery. In that context, they also emphasized the importance to counter disinformation surrounding the pandemic.
“They discussed the recent release and exchange of detainees related to the conflict in eastern Ukraine that took place on 16 April, and the need to continue work to implement the Minsk agreements,” the press release reads.
High Representative Borrell looked forward to visiting Ukraine as a priority once the conditions allow.
