Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery of Ukraine - Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, met with a delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) headed by the Bank's President, Odile Renaud-Basso.

The conversation focused on the implementation of joint reconstruction projects and opportunities for expanding cooperation in the development of the Danube Port Cluster.

"We see the prospect of cooperation on the development of the Danube Port Cluster. We started our work last year. Royal HaskoningDHV, an international engineering consultancy, has developed a list of measures to increase the capacity of the Danube ports as part of a joint pilot project between the Ministry and the EBRD, which relates to investment, operational and regulatory changes in Ukraine, Moldova and Romania.

Undoubtedly, the Danube Cluster has become a critical element of global food security in the face of limited operation of the Black Sea seaports, in particular, through operational dredging in the ports of the Danube region to restore their passport characteristics. In this way, we are reviving the Bystry Estuary channel as an alternative route for Ukrainian agricultural exports.

We are already discussing with our partners projects to restore the basic infrastructure: power, water supply and sewage, transport infrastructure, and housing in the liberated areas.

We highly appreciate the cooperation with the EBRD team and are grateful for the support of Ukraine," commented Oleksandr Kubrakov.

The Ministry and its subordinate organisations are currently implementing a number of joint projects with the EBRD, including:

• Development of the road sector within the framework of the project Development of the Trans-European Transport Network. Ukraine - Road Corridors.
• Currently, cooperation with the EBRD is underway to include the M-09 Ternopil - Lviv - Rawa Ruska (to Lublin) and M-11 Lviv - Shehyni roads in the overhaul project. This will allow improving logistics on Ukraine's western borders.
• Development of the railway network, including electrification of the railway network and meeting the basic needs of Ukrzaliznytsia in times of war.
• Development of Ukrposhta's logistics network, including the purchase of vehicles, modernisation of sorting equipment and reopening of offices in the de-occupied territories.

In addition, UkSATSE has submitted a grant request to the EBRD and a list of potential projects to be funded by the grant. The projects are related to the preparation of air navigation infrastructure for the post-war resumption of flights.