Kiev forwards request for 4.1 bln euros under Ukraine Facility
MOSCOW. July 17 (Interfax) - Ukraine has met all second-quarter benchmarks under the Ukraine Facility program and has submitted a request to the European Commission for a quarterly tranche of 4.1 billion euros, Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Sviridenko said.
"Now the partners will have to draw up and approve a report confirming that Ukraine has met the second-quarter benchmarks. The EU countries will then have to endorse their decision on granting these funds to Ukraine. We sincerely count on a positive assessment and that we will be able to receive the necessary funds in September," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Sviridenko as saying in a statement on social media.
In particular, Ukraine has already approved a digitalization plan for the State Customs Service, the budget declaration for 2025-2027 and an action plan for implementing the roadmap on reforming the public investment management system, she said.
Other benchmarks met by Ukraine include the appointment of a new head for the National Agency for Corruption Prevention, reviewing the legal framework of the Economic Security Bureau and approving the integrated national energy and climate plan.
In addition, Ukraine adopted a strategy for thermal modernization of buildings until 2050 and an action plan for implementing it, as well as enacted its mine action strategy for the period until 2033 and a law on corporate governance for state-owned companies.
"But there is still a lot of work ahead. Nine more benchmarks need to be met in the third quarter. Thanks to that, we will be able to receive an additional 4 billion euros in November of this year. We expect to receive a total of 16 billion euros in EU summit this year," Sviridenko said.
The Verkhovna Rada fulfilled another Ukraine Facility benchmark today by backing a bill on integrated prevention and control of industrial pollution, she said.
The Ukraine Facility is an instrument that allows Ukraine to receive a total of 50 billion euros in financial and technical assistance from the EU in 2024-2027. Of this amount, 38.27 billion euros will be allocated for budget support, 6.97 billion euros will go to the investment fund, and 4.76 billion euros will be spent on technical and administrative support.
The Ukrainian budget received 7.9 billion euros in three tranches under the Ukraine Facility earlier this year. The subsequent tranches will be provided in line with the quarterly schedule for target implementation and in the presence of a positive assessment from the EU.