Brussels, 18/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 18 June, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and Ukraine's Minister for the Economy Aivaras Abramovicius signed a €55 million financing agreement for the EU's support programme to Ukraine - “EU Support to Ukraine to Re-launch the Economy” or “EU SURE”.
The action supports the national, regional and local authorities in developing and implementing effective economic development policies - which also includes aid to SMEs. This financing agreement is part of the “2015 special measure for private sector development and approximation” approved by the European Commission on 23 April.
During his visit to Ukraine, Hahn announced that “in recognition of reform efforts undertaken”, Ukraine will receive a “substantial” additional allocation this year under the Umbrella fund, the Commission stated in a press releasing, adding that this meant that Kiev would benefit from at least €200 million in subsidies for 2015.
The same day, the Verkhovna Rada ratified the memorandum of understanding for the third package of €1.8 billion macro-financial assistance from the EU (see EUROPE 11287). “We are now working towards disbursing the first payment of €600 million in the coming weeks”, said European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis in the press release. He added that the memorandum included measures for the fight against corruption and for the reform of Ukraine's public administration. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)