EU expects Ukraine to implement reforms to unlock 20 bln euros in budget support

BRUSSELS. Sept 23 (Interfax) - Kiev stands to receive 20 billion euros in budget support from the European Union, provided it implements reforms regarding the rule of law and the fight against corruption, European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said.

"We have the European plan, and it covers a list of reforms from energy sector to the rule of law. We have also the 10-point plan on the reforms on the rule of law and the fight against corruption. This means that if those reforms can be implemented and adopted in 2026, they could unlock 20 billion euros in budget support," Mercier said at a press briefing in Brussels on Wednesday in response to a question on the matter.

He said that the reform plan had been agreed upon with the Ukrainian authorities and ratified by the Verkhovna Rada, and it is currently crucial to move forward with their implementation.

"We can confirm that actually Commissioner [for Economy Valdis] Dombrovskis and, Commissioner [for Enlargement Marta] Kos sent letters last week to, actually to the speaker of the parliament, of the Rada, and also to the prime minister, precisely recalling this point, the importance of, of working on the reforms," Mercier said.