«The heart of Europe beats strongest here in Kyiv, here in Ukraine»
Katarína Mathernová:
Helping to win the war against the Russian aggressor and «win the peace»
Josep Borrell:
EU support for Ukraine does not depend on the course of the war
UKRAINE-EU:
THE ACCESSION ALGORITHM
New Europe Centre organises Second Ukraine-EU Accession Forum in Kyiv
More than 100 participants attended, and watched panel sessions discussing the challenges of Russia’s war on Ukraine’s integration into the EU, and EU reforms for new members and candidate countries.
European Union Ambassador Katarína Mathernová said: “I strongly support the thesis that if it had not been for the unfortunate and tragic escalation of the war and the invasion on 24 February last year, we would not be discussing the issues of the Forum… But because we have very deep association and trade agreements that have gone through a lot of internal reforms with a lot of emphasis on governance, on the rule of law, on the fight against corruption, on building institutions and regulatory regimes, we have a basis to discuss all these issues”.
European experience: What should the judicial map of Ukraine look like?
HUMANITARIAN POLICY AND PROTECTION
EU Member States agree to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees
The EU’s Home Affairs Council has agreed to extend the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive, which gives Ukrainian refugees the right to stay legally in the EU and basic social protection, until March 2025.
“The EU will support the Ukrainian people for as long as it takes. The extension of the protection status gives certainty to the more than 4 million refugees who have found a safe haven in the EU,” said Fernando Grande- Marlaska Gomez, Interior Minister of Spain, which holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
SECURITY SUPPORT
European Union will not wait for US decision
The European Union is not waiting for the US to resolve budgetary issues regarding assistance to Ukraine, but is increasing its support for Kyiv. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, European Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell, said the EU was considering various proposals to provide €50 billion in financial aid to Ukraine and another €20 billion for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. “Let’s see what will happen in the US, but from our side, we will continue supporting and increasing our support,” said Borrell.
Ammunition for victory
ECONOMY, FINANCE AND BUSINESS
Peter Wagner’s visit to Izium: Rebuilding schools, heating season, mine clearance
Recognising the enormous challenges faced by communities during the war, particularly in the education sector, the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments has decided to provide additional funding of more than €5 million. The funds will be used to rebuild 12 schools in three war-affected regions of Ukraine and to create 25 Digital Learning Centres in 2023.
Peter Wagner, Director of the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, and Rolf Holmboe, Head of the EU Advisory Mission to Ukraine, reviewed the implementation of the programme in the Kharkiv region. They also discussed the start of the heating season and de-mining.
Financial consolidation for Ukraine
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the World Bank are harmonising procurement procedures for CEB-financed public sector investments in Ukraine. The country can count on the EIB’s financial support of more than €2 billion for immediate needs and on the use of the EU Ukraine Fund, backed by contributions from EU Member States and a €500 million guarantee from the European Commission.
EU to help Ukraine get through the harsh winter
Summing up the outcome of the European Union Energy Council, European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson announced a European Commission grant of over €50 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. She reaffirmed the European Commission’s unwavering support for Ukraine “on the eve of another difficult winter for Ukrainians”.
The harsh military winter of 2022–2023 was a serious challenge for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Still, the country withstood and came through this challenging period with dignity, thanks to the European Union’s strong support for Ukraine’s energy front.
The Entrepreneurship Competence Framework for Youth broadens business horizons
Last year, the European Union redirected €2 million from the EU4Youth budget to support initiatives that aim to address the social challenges posed by the war in Ukraine. But the programme also aims to help young people realise their aspirations and potential in business. Is the younger generation ready for such activities? Anyone can find out, with the help of the EntreGram4Youth – the Entrepreneurial Competence Framework for Youth, developed with the support of the EU4Youth Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Programme, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Entrepreneurship and Export Development Office, and the national project Diia.Business.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
A decentralised country can mobilise and act quickly: U-LEAD with Europe contributes to the development of Ukrainian communities
Experts agree that the decentralisation reform has strengthened the capacity of the communities, their high level of self- organisation, and their readiness to make the necessary decisions in times of peace and war. The European Union has supported and will continue to support Ukrainian communities in realising their potential to contribute to the reconstruction and development of the country.