European Commission signs deal with Ukraine for another 500-mln-euro budget aid package

MOSCOW. Sept 5 (Interfax) - The European Commission is signing a new budget support program with Ukraine for 500 million euros, European Commission Spokesperson Eric Mamer said on Monday in Brussels while listing documents the parties decided to sign during the 8th EU-Ukraine Association Council meeting.

"This EU grant funding will help ensure housing and education for internally displaced persons and returnees and support Ukraine's agriculture sector," Mamer said.

Ukrainian media reported that the country also signed an agreement with the EU to join the Digital Europe Program on the meeting's sidelines. The deal should ensure Ukraine's participation in the Digital Europe Program promoting the implementation of digital technology and is believed to be reciprocally beneficial to the signatories in guaranteeing a high level of data protection, digital rights, fundamental rights, and ethical standards.

The parties also signed an agreement on financing a program to reduce vulnerability and improve food security through supporting the affected population and agricultural production sector in Ukraine.

The parties also signed an additional agreement (in the form of a letter exchange) between the Ukrainian government and the European Commission to the agreement on financing the EU's program for supporting Ukraine in an emergency. The document proposes amendments to the disbursement of a tentative budget, which are seen as essential in light of the reassessment of the people's needs and resources for addressing them.