On Thursday, 26 October, a discussion was held with representatives of the Verkhovna Rada committees on the status of the Government’s ongoing work on the Ukraine Plan, which is required for the implementation of the EU’s Ukraine Facility support programme. The meeting also outlined further steps to complete the preparation of the document.

The meeting was attended by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Oleksii Sobolev, Deputy Minister of Economy, chairs and deputy chairs of the Verkhovna Rada committees, as well as representatives of the line ministries responsible for the preparation of specific areas of the Plan. The opening remarks were made by Katarina Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, and Marlene Madsen, Head of Unit for Economic and Sectoral Policies, DG NEAR, European Commission.

Yuliia Svyrydenko spoke about the key tasks and concept of the Plan, and outlined the next steps in the work on the document.

“The Ukraine Plan should help create conditions for further economic development and European integration. First of all, the Ukraine Facility focuses on the macro-financial strengthening of our country. The bulk of the funds – EUR 39 billion – will be used to support the budget. Accordingly, the Plan itself combines the steps that will have the greatest macroeconomic impact. It is a concrete and meaningful list of reforms and measures that can be implemented in 4 years.

A significant part of the necessary steps will be related to changes in legislation and harmonisation with EU norms. That is why it is extremely important to coordinate the actions of the Government and the Verkhovna Rada and to work together on the Plan,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Discussions on the Plan with MPs will continue in November. At that time, consultations and consideration of proposals from NGOs, the business community and representatives of the regions will continue, and the text will be finalised together with representatives of the European Union.

Following approval of the Ukraine Facility Programme by the European Union, the Plan will be adopted by the Council of Europe. Funding under the programme will start in 2024 and last until 2027.