The first priority of the Government Plan for 2024 remains unchanged - defence capability and security for our citizens. This is the Ukrainian Shield programme. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasised this during a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 16 February.

"We are allocating all internal resources to strengthen our defence. More weapons and equipment. More drones. More missiles. More shells. Equipping the defence lines. Among the important challenges is the localisation of production and repair of weapons and equipment. We will create a special regime for defence companies, provide them with benefits and state guarantees," the Prime Minister said.

We will also rely on the private sector, new technologies and solutions.

The number of units and the number of pyrotechnics of the State Emergency Service will be increased by at least 200 people in the field of humanitarian demining.

"We are creating a market for humanitarian demining. We will compensate for the costs of demining agricultural land. This year, Ukraine is to produce its first domestic demining vehicles. The number of operators should increase by at least 10%," said Denys Shmyhal.

In terms of cooperation with NATO, the Prime Minister said, systemic changes and the implementation of NATO standards are primarily important. In all areas: from procurement to governance.

"Public safety. We are improving it at all levels. We continue to build shelters. In 120 communities, we will have security specialists in the educational environment. The system of emergency assistance to the population will work throughout Ukraine," said Denys Shmyhal.

The second priority of the Government's Action Plan for 2024 is Ukraine's European integration. The Prime Minister emphasised that our country had come a long way and was starting negotiations on joining the EU. Ukraine has received a four-year programme worth EUR 50 billion.

"In the first half of this year, we will form a Ukrainian team for accession negotiations. We are preparing a national programme for the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to EU acquis. We are working to extend the 'economic' and 'transport' visa-free regimes. We are preparing the conditions for signing 'industrial' and 'roaming' visa-free regimes with the EU," the Prime Minister said.

In addition, a project of joint border checkpoints with European neighbours is being developed.