On November 18, 2022, in Kyiv, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis discussed further support for Ukraine and integration into the EU internal markets. From the Ukrainian side, the meeting was also joined by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and Deputy Minister of Economy – Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka.

Ukraine is grateful to the representative of the European Commission for the important steps to provide financial support to Ukraine from the EU, especially in the context of russia’s full-scale invasion. The Government expects to receive next tranche of macro-financial assistance in the amount of EUR 2.5 billion next week.

Also, a proposal to provide our country with up to EUR 18 billion under the new instrument “Macro-Financial Assistance Plus” next year is currently under consideration. This will help cover a significant part of Ukraine’s financial deficit. The funds are planned to be allocated to the humanitarian and social spheres. The first part of the financing is expected in January 2023.

“As russia continues to attack and destroy Ukrainian infrastructure, financial support from European partners is vital for our ability to further resist aggression, overcome the energy crisis and balance the economy. Equally important for the reconstruction of Ukraine is the integration into the EU internal markets and deepening of trade relations,” said First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko following the meeting.

The parties agreed to prepare an updated Priority Action Plan for integration into the EU internal market.

“Its main goal is to further simplify trade between Ukraine and the European Union, as the current iteration of this plan has already borne fruit. Thanks to all the measures, including the abolition of duties, the solidarity line – the export of goods from Ukraine to the EU this year, even in the conditions of war, has increased compared to the previous year,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

During the meeting the Ukrainian side also stressed the importance of more intensive cooperation in the mining and metallurgical complex:

“Ukraine is interested in replacing russian iron ore and steel products on the European market. This is important both to facilitate the application of sanctions and for further sustainable development of the European metallurgical complex,” the Minister of Economy added.

Also, according to the Minister, Ukraine is interested in extension of the EU’s autonomous trade measures in the form of non-application of duties to Ukrainian products. The EU understands rationality of this issue, so the work on its elaboration continues.

The parties also discussed the positive effect of road transport liberalization for both Ukrainian and European companies. Three quarters of imports of goods from the EU are carried out by road, so the Ukrainian side emphasizes the importance, in the context of trade, of extending the regime of permit free transport services by road.

The parties also focused on preparation of a project of Ukraine’s accession to the common roaming space. It should become a pilot project in terms of extension of the EU internal market regime to Ukraine. It will be a model for further legal integration into the EU internal market.