• Українською
  • Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session
    Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 02 February 2024 16:40

    Good afternoon, dear colleagues, fellow Ukrainians.

    Yesterday, the European Union adopted a new four-year programme of support for Ukraine worth EUR 50 billion. This is the EU’s multiannual financial assistance for 2024-2027.

    Why is it so important?

    Firstly. EUR 39 billion will be used to support the state budget of Ukraine. This will help our Government to ensure financial stability and to implement priority budget expenditures, including all social programmes to help our people.

    Secondly. The approved Ukraine Facility programme provides for EUR 8 billion in the form of a special investment instrument. According to the Ministry of Economy, this will attract an additional EUR 30 billion of investment. This is sustainability and an additional resource for the recovery of our economy.

    Thirdly. The Ukraine Facility programme is not only about money, but also about the transformation of our country. It is a plan to introduce European rules and regulations that will bring us closer to EU membership.

    Fourthly. All EU member states have voted in favour of this programme of support for Ukraine. All 27 countries. This is a demonstration of European unity in supporting Ukraine. This is a clear signal to russia that its strategy of waiting for Ukraine’s allies to stop supporting it will not work.

    In addition, European leaders have confirmed their intention to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine.

    In particular, in March we expect to create a separate instrument for Ukraine within the European Peace Facility.

    We are talking about EUR 20 billion of military assistance for the next 4 years.

    I should also note the EU’s position on the use and confiscation of frozen russian assets.

    A year ago, we were told that this was impossible. That these assets were protected by “sovereign immunity”. That these assets could be frozen, but not confiscated. That Ukraine should not count on these funds.

    Two years of work and constant advocacy by a large Ukrainian team, and today European leaders confirm the plan to use the proceeds of frozen russian assets.

    We welcome this decision, but Ukraine sees it only as the first intermediate step before confiscation, not as an alternative to confiscation.

    We will continue to work to ensure that russian assets are fully used for Ukraine’s resilience and recovery.

    Our allies understand the need for this step, and I am confident that we will find the best legal solution.

    ***

    Speaking about the support from our partners, I would also like to thank Japan for the almost USD 400 million that was transferred to the state budget of Ukraine at the end of last month.

    This is an important support that will help our Government to finance social programmes.

    Today, financial assistance from Japan has already exceeded USD 4.5 billion. Japan now ranks 4th among our partners in terms of budget support.

    Despite the thousands of kilometres that separate our countries, we feel the sincere desire of our Japanese allies to support Ukraine. And we are grateful for it.

    Moreover, we see a genuine interest of Japan, the Japanese Government and Japanese businesses in Ukraine.

    We see interest in joint projects in various fields. We see interest in Ukraine as an investment platform.

    That is why this month our government delegation will visit Tokyo, where the Japan-Ukraine conference on recovery and economic growth will take place.

    We want to reach a new level of cooperation, especially in terms of investment and joint projects.

    ***

    In fact, one of the key tasks in the economic sphere for this year is to increase foreign investment in Ukraine.

    We are working with our partners to achieve this. To this end, we have introduced war risk insurance. We are constantly improving the conditions for investment projects.

    Today we will adopt a resolution that improves the mechanism of state support for large investment projects.

    Ukrainian and foreign companies willing to invest more than EUR 12 million and create new jobs will receive maximum support and special conditions. This includes tax benefits, regulatory relief, and support at the level of project implementation.

    Today’s resolution concerns a new approach to the preparation of a feasibility study for an investment project.

    We are eliminating and simplifying a number of regulations, including the need for an economic analysis and the revision of the social assessment of projects, as well as easing the requirements for the applicant’s financial solvency.

    All this has one goal. To launch more investment projects that will create more jobs, strengthen our communities and our economy.

    ***

    Humanitarian demining is another important area for the recovery of our country and our economy.

    We are now focusing on clearing agricultural land as soon as possible.

    In 2023, demining units of the state and non-state operators surveyed 275,000 hectares of agricultural land. More than 200,000 hectares have been put back into use.

    We are not only continuing this work, we are accelerating it.

    In December last year, there were 26 certified mine action operators in Ukraine. In early February, there were already 29. Another 48 operators are in the process of certification.

    In 2023, we had 1,500 deminers. In 2024, we will have 3,500.

    As of 1 January 2023, we had almost no vehicles for humanitarian demining. At the beginning of this year, there were already 55 such special vehicles.

    Today we will adopt a resolution that creates a unified approach to the certification of mine action operators.

    Now there will be clear deadlines, unified requirements and a clear approach. We are laying the groundwork for the introduction of digital certification.

    What will it bring? Dozens of mine action operators, hundreds of teams and units of equipment constantly working to clear Ukraine’s land of explosive hazards.

    We are working to make Ukraine a safe, strong, European country. All together. As a single team.

    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