• Українською
  • Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session
    Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 23 February 2024 12:39

    Good afternoon, dear colleagues, fellow Ukrainians.

    Today we are holding an offsite meeting of the Government. On the instructions of the President of Ukraine, we are working in Lviv region.

    One of the key issues is the situation with the blockade at the border. We are preparing clear steps and concrete proposals.

    We plan to hold a pragmatic dialogue with the Polish side and are ready for reasonable compromises.

    At the same time, we continue to expand our logistics in other locations. Sea ports. Danube ports. Checkpoints with our other neighbours. Railways.

    In January 2024, we exported 88% of Ukrainian wheat to the EU via the Black Sea. This is the result of our maritime logistics corridor.

    Danube ports continue to set records in terms of transshipment. We continue to invest in expanding their capacity.

    We are preparing groups of vessels with our products for export on the Danube. This includes container barges that can sail to the Danube ports of Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Romanian port of Constanța.

    We are expanding our cooperation with Romania. Our partners there have proved to be predictable. In January 2024, 1.1 million tonnes of grain transited Romania. In the first half of February, it was 0.6 million tonnes.

    Today, the Government will adopt decision to open a new crossing point on the border with Hungary.

    This is the Velyka Palad – Nagyhódos checkpoint, which we have agreed to open with our Hungarian counterparts. It will work for passenger cars, and this will help reduce queues and speed up border crossing for our citizens.

    In addition, we agreed to expand the operation of another crossing point on the border with Hungary – Luzhanka–Beregsurány. Now, empty trucks will be able to cross the border without weight restrictions, as well as passenger and freight vehicles with a maximum weight of 7.5 tonnes.

    This is a very important story for our country and the undoubted success of our policy of new pragmatism in relations with Hungary.

    We are working on many fronts to expand logistics and our exports, and it is paying off.

    In terms of exports, we are reaching the pre-war level. In January, USD 3.4 billion worth of goods were exported. This is almost 10% growth compared to January last year.

    ***

    Increased exports mean economic recovery, financial system stability, and our ability to finance the key priorities of the Ukrainian budget.

    Among these priorities, the top priority is defence capability. The second is social programmes to help our people.

    Today, the Government is making a decision to index pensions starting from 1 March this year.

    This is the third indexation during the full-scale war.

    Pensions will be increased by almost 8%. The average increase will amount to UAH 322, and the average pension will increase to UAH 5,717.

    The increase is calculated based on inflation and the growth of the average salary in Ukraine.

    The indexation will affect more than 10 million Ukrainian citizens. This includes 9.5 million civilian pensioners, almost 600,000 pensioners of law enforcement agencies, and almost 100,000 Chornobyl victims.

    In addition, starting from 1 April, pensions for 654,000 working pensioners will be automatically recalculated based on the updated insurance record.

    Also, in 2024, for the second time in a row, the lowest pensions will be indexed.

    That is, despite all the challenges, despite all the difficulties, we continue to support our people. We are not just carrying out indexation, but also expanding its perimeter.

    ***

    Just as our Government supports Ukrainian families, we continue to support Ukrainian communities. This is a principled position.

    Today, we are making a decision to allocate UAH 6.2 billion to the local level.

    This is the distribution of additional subsidies for 6 regional budgets and 430 community budgets. Donetsk region, Zaporizhzhia region, Luhansk region, Mykolaiv region, Kharkiv region, Kherson region. These are the regional budgets that will receive additional funds.

    We are helping communities that need it most in terms of their recovery and financial capacity to fulfil their obligations to people.

    ***

    We are grateful to our international partners who are financially supporting Ukraine and helping our Government to deliver on social programmes and other priorities.

    Yesterday, Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund agreed on the 3rd review of our EFF programme at the expert level.

    We have fulfilled all the IMF’s structural benchmarks. We have implemented the necessary reforms and changes. We are now waiting for the decision of the Executive Board, which will allow Ukraine to receive almost USD 900 million from the Fund.

    We are also working to receive the first tranche from the European Union under the new Ukraine Facility programme in March.

    We hope to receive new assistance from Japan this year. We discussed this with Prime Minister Kishida during our delegation’s visit to Tokyo.

    We are strengthening our economy. We are strengthening our financial stability for a strong Ukraine and our victory.

    ***

    In conclusion.

    Today’s agenda includes a key decision on the establishment of the National Military Memorial Cemetery.

    We are approving the procedure for using the funds earmarked in the state budget. It is about UAH 515 million that we are allocating for the construction and operation this year.

    The National Military Memorial Cemetery will be a central place where everyone can pay tribute to the fallen heroes of our Motherland. It will be a special place where sorrow, pride, pain, respect, boundless gratitude and eternal memory meet.

    This is one of the main tasks for the Ministry for Veterans Affairs this year.

    Thank you for your attention.

    Glory to Ukraine!

    Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session