European Neighbourhood Policy Review
2015 Special Measure in support of Ukraine
Chairman, honourable
members,
Before concluding I would like to say a few words
about our assistance to Ukraine in support of key short term reforms
(constitutional reform and decentralisation) and
quick economic recovery, also in line with the recent Minsk Agreement.
The EU is currently implementing a €355 million State
Building Contract (Special Measure 2014) supporting the Ukrainian government in
preparing for in-depth reforms.
Up to €105 million remain to be disbursed and the
necessary reforms (including decentralisation) could
be enhanced by the mobilisation of technical experts.
Like in 2014, when my predecessor announced the
Special Measure, the fragile situation in Ukraine has not yet enabled a
multi-annual programming.
I am therefore profiting from this occasion to inform
you of our intention to launch again a Special Measure in 2015, worth €110
million, taking into consideration the present volatile conditions.
Besides support to the essential reforms, reviving
economic activity is essential in the short term.
The bulk of this 2015 Special Measure in support of
Private Sector Development and approximation (€95 million) has been designed to
contribute to economic recovery, focusing on the areas affected by the conflict
in the East, including reforms to improve business climate and support to SMEs.
The remaining €15 million will support the Ukrainian
public authorities in designing and implementing key reforms stemming from the
Association Agreement, including capacity to carry out the legal approximation
process with the EU.
If and when the conditions allow, we will start a
longer term approach to our assistance, in agreeing on a Single Support
Framework, outlining priority sectors on a multi-annual basis as we have for
the remaining Eastern Neighbourhood countries. I will
then come to this Committee to conduct a strategic dialogue as agreed in the
context of the adoption of the ENI Regulation.
Thank you for your attention.
European Commission