EU ready to take lead effort in Ukraine's reconstruction - European Commission

BRUSSELS. Jan 9 (Interfax) - The European Union stands ready to take on a lead role in rebuilding Ukraine's infrastructure, European Commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero said.

"The European Union stands ready to take a lead effort when it comes to the reconstruction of Ukraine," Pisonero said at a press briefing in Brussels on Monday.

The G7 countries have agreed on a coordination platform for this issue, she said.

"The commission has offered to host the secretariat. There will be massive needs for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine. Clearly, there is a very big need to coordinate efforts of everyone on board - the EU, the member states, the European financial institutions, the international organizations and so forth. And clearly, from the private sector there will be a need to coordinate all efforts," she said.

"It is very important to start planning work now," Pisonero said, adding that so far, the EU has focused on helping cover Ukraine's basic needs and emergency financial needs.

To this end, macro-financial support has been provided, but "clearly, for the longer-term reconstruction we need to start effort now," she said, mentioning a number of relevant conferences that have been held, including the recent Berlin conference.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans visited Kiev on Monday to discuss, among other issues, a Ukraine recovery plan with Ukrainian government officials.