Brussels, 13/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 13 June, the European Commission made its first disbursement of €250 million to Ukraine to support institutions and reforms in the country. This payment is part of the State Building Contract programme signed on 13 May and allocated €355 million (see EUROPE 11078). The programme is designed to help Ukraine in the process of transformation and with related reforms. It includes concrete steps to promote more transparency, better governance, support the fight against corruption and help the government to respond to citizens' needs. “Today's disbursement is one of many steps we are currently making to help the government of Ukraine in addressing the short-term needs as well as preparing for the implementation of the association agreement”, said Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle. This agreement is due to be signed, by those parties that have not yet done so, on 27 June.
The remaining €105 million will, the Commission says, be disbursed in the coming months and will be linked to progress in reforms in the areas of anti-corruption, public finance management, the civil service, constitutional reform, electoral legislation and justice.
The State Building Contract programme is part of the €11 billion announced by the Commission on 5 March to support Ukraine. (CG)