KYIV. UkraineGate . 2 . February . 2023 | War News.
Ukraine is counting on significant progress in integration into the EU internal market and on the extension of duty-free trade with the European Union until the end of 2024. This was discussed during the meeting between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal and the Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis, the government reported .
The Prime Minister emphasized that integration into the EU internal market and further deepening of trade relations is vital for Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.
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“In particular, it is important to preserve the duty-free import of our goods to the European Union until the end of 2024,” said Denys Shmyhal.
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Shmyhal thanked the EU for the powerful macro-financial assistance. In particular, for the support program in the amount of 18 billion euros, of which 3 billion euros have already arrived in Ukraine.
“It is important that financial resources arrive predictably and rhythmically. For this, we have created a platform of “financial Ramstein”, – emphasized the head of the government.
He also called on the EU to join the rapid reconstruction of Ukraine.
“This year, 17 billion dollars are needed for these needs. One of the key sources of financing is Russian assets. A real mechanism should be created to direct them to compensation for the losses caused by the war,” the Prime Minister said.
For his part, Valdis Dombrovskis, as indicated, emphasized that the EU will continue to comprehensively support Ukraine.
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At the beginning of January, Ukraine and the EU announced that on February 3, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi will meet with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the head of the European Council, Charles Michel.
More than a dozen European commissioners wanted to hold talks with government representatives in Kyiv right before the Ukraine-EU summit in February.
The issue of financial and military support to Ukraine will be resolved at the highest level. At the summit, Ukraine hopes to achieve a “significant leap forward”, especially in specific sectors – an agreement on “industrial visa-free travel”; suspension of customs duties on Ukrainian exports for another year; and “active progress” in joining the SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) payment scheme and Ukraine’s inclusion in the EU mobile roaming zone. And also in the issue of Ukraine’s advancement on the way to EU membership .
The mass media reported that the EU will praise Ukraine for progress in reforms at the end of the summit , but is unlikely to make a decision on early accession.
Source: Ukrgate
