• Українською
  • Statement by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at a Gov't session
    Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 07 July 2022 17:02

    Today, when intense battles against the russian occupiers on our land are being fought, when air alerts sound every day, when Ukrainians die every day, when not a single city, not a single community in Ukraine feels safe, all that supports us now is the confidence in our victory and that after the war we will rebuild our Ukraine. Let's make everything better than it was before.

    On July 4-5 in Lugano, Switzerland, Ukrainian Government officials, MPs, experts and economists presented the first draft of the large Ukraine Recovery Plan. The entire global experience of successful post-war reconstruction demonstrates that quality recovery and transformation are impossible without a strong global coalition and partners that will promote and facilitate such recovery and reconstruction. Providing political, economic, financial and advisory support.

    During the meetings and discussions in Lugano, all our international partners aired one critical message: we will support Ukraine as long as necessary during the war. And they stand ready to build a new Ukraine together with Ukrainians after the end of the war. During the Conference in Lugano, an Outcome Declaration was adopted, in which heads of state and government, ministers and high representatives pledged to support Ukraine on its path to recovery. 40 countries, representatives of the European Union and international financial organizations signed this declaration. 45 powerful allies of Ukraine who will help approach our victory. Actually, this is our strategic principle: United in defense — united in recovery!

    The Plan presented in Lugano is the first blueprint, the work of about 3,000 experts. In total, there are 24 groups in different directions. We attracted non-governmental experts, international consultants and economists, Ukrainian and foreign businesses. Our Recovery Plan is a program to transform Ukraine into a new state, a member of the European Union.

    At the same time, our team has managed to clearly and in detail demonstrate that such a 10-year transformation plan will cost about USD 750 billion as of today’s date. It contains 850 specific projects that affect all areas. From ramping up our domestic gas production to a new quality of education, from investments in deep processing to digital services.

    Apart from the Plan, the Government of Ukraine also showcased the Recovery Platform, which will consist of three levels. The highest level, where the leaders of the partner states will be represented. A joint coordination group that will include executives and decision-makers from Ukraine, the US, the EU, Britain, Canada and other partner countries involved in the recovery process. And the third level is the thematic groups that will function within the framework of the National Council for the Restoration of Ukraine.

    It is assumed the Main Recovery Office be located in Kyiv. At the same time, offices will also be established in Washington, London, Brussels and other cities, which will allow to effectively implement the road map of reconstruction.

    Another important direction, we have been discussing with our partners for several months and which we presented separately in Lugano, is regional reconstruction and patronage of partner countries over individual regions, cities, and communities of Ukraine. Some of our partners have already announced their readiness to support the recovery and development of specific regions. For example, Great Britain, Italy, Estonia, Denmark, and other countries have already chosen and politically confirmed their desire to restore certain regions, communities, areas, and cities.

    During the Lugano Conference, we presented a map with proposals to many of our partners to join this process. We have received feedback and proposals, and now we will work together to finalize this rebuild option. In the near future, we will present an updated list of partners who will contribute to the restoration of our communities.

    In Lugano, our team also held dozens of different negotiations to attract as much support as possible for Ukraine right now. As an outcome agreements were reached to support our state to the tune of almost UDS 2 billion.

    We agreed with the World Bank on the support of USD 1.2 billion. This includes financial assistance to the budget, support for the Ukrainian agricultural sector, and funds for preparing for the heating season.

    Agreements have been made with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on support worth EUR 300 million to ensure a sustainable passage of winter as well.

    The European Investment Bank will allocate EUR 120 million or digital transformation projects.

    The governments of Switzerland, Sweden, and Great Britain will provide funds to finance budget needs, support farmers, digitalization, repair of energy infrastructure, as well as for the recovery of Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses.

    An agreement on Swiss investments in public and private green projects was signed between Ukraine and Switzerland.

    The Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has submitted an application for Ukraine to join this association.

    Together with our partners, we are preparing dozens of different projects that will allows us to strengthen our security, improve logistics, and contribute to the recovery of business activities and the economy.

    The Lugano Conference once again demonstrated how united the world is in support of Ukraine and how strong the world admires the bravery of the Ukrainian people and our Armed Forces.

    We thank our soldiers for forging our victory right now. This gives us the opportunity to make plans and believe in a European free, strong and prosperous Ukraine.

    ***

    The Lugano Conference was a success for Ukraine with regards to the further formation of a strong coalition in support of our state. It is vital for us not to lose momentum and continue to make changes enabling us to strengthen our defense and our country. We have a number of important decisions today.

    One of those concerns the freezing of any increase in tariffs, which are within the scope of responsibility of the Government. This applies in particular to electricity tariffs. No increase for people is currently planned or anticipated.

    At the same time, for the stable operation of the electricity market and uninterrupted supply, we will approve a resolution on entrusting special responsibilities on the participants of the electricity market who are currently exporting it to the European Union. Record prices for electricity in European countries allow Ukrainian generating companies to earn significant funds, which we propose to partially direct to ensure that tariffs for Ukrainians remain stable.

    Ukraine is not planning to slow down the pace of effective implementation of the decentralization reform. Our European partners frankly admit that the progress in this area in recent years is really impressive. Today we have a decision by which we transfer the property of the Centers for the administrative services provision (CASPs) to the ownership of communities of Kirovohrad and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

    In addition, in order to support the regions, we will approve a resolution that provides compensation from the Government to regional military administrations for the accommodation of internally displaced persons. In May, the total amount of compensation for the IDPs placement amounted to UAH 137.5 million. International donors helped us cover larger part of these funds. Another UAH 36.5 million will be allocated by the Government today. Local authorities continue to help our displaced people find new housing and work, provide them with temporary shelter, and that is why it is important for the Government to allocate appropriate funds to be directed to these policies.

    One more decision applies to our interaction with our international partners. The Government will authorize the Minister of Health Viktor Liashko to sign the Agreement between Ukraine and the EU on the participation of our country in the EU4Health program. The budget of the program for 6 years is EUR 5.3 billion. State authorities, non-governmental organizations, as well as small and medium-sized businesses will be able to receive funding for healthcare improvement projects. Ukraine's participation in this program is another example of how Ukraine's European integration will improve the quality of life of our citizens through access to relevant EU funds and finances.

    And finally. Joint work and support for each other is the formula for the success of our state and victory in the war. Therefore, after the start of a full-scale war, the Government is helping regions, communities, and citizens to the greatest extent possible. The program ePidtrymka we launched back in March has been fully implemented. Everyone who applied for the payment in the amount of UAH 6,500 has received it. Those are almost 5 million citizens. The final amount of all payments amounted to UAH 30.9 billion. Today the Government will adopt a resolution that allows you to receive income from military bonds through these ePidtrymka cards.

    So, we continue to build a new European Ukraine, we continue to work for our victory.

    Thank you for attention. Glory to Ukraine!

    Statement by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at a Gov't session Statement by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at a Gov't session Statement by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at a Gov't session