EU-Ukraine Summit: EU steps up its support to the Sea of Azov region

During the 21st EU-Ukraine Summit, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, signed new additional support measures worth €10 million to support local economic diversification and small businesses, local civil society and citizens’ involvement in decision-making, improvement of community security and public safety.

The EU has stepped up its support to the Sea of Azov region since the beginning of the year working on new programmes for mine risk mitigation as well as for psycho-social support. The EU will increase its presence through a programme office in Mariupol, which notably strengthens the support to decentralisation and anti-corruption processes in the region.

High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini commented: “Today, the European Union steps up its support to the Sea of Azov region, to mitigate the impact of the Kerch Bridge – built without Ukraine’s consent – and of Russia’s inspection regime hindering traffic in violation of international law. As a reliable partner, and as a friend, the European Union is and will always be there for the Ukrainian people.”

The EU is financing the feasibility studies needed for an upgrade of road, railway and port infrastructure that connect the region with the rest of Ukraine and the EU. This could potentially mobilise more than €450 million in loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other partners.

The EIB has already provided a package of €200 million destined to conflict-related areas for the early recovery of small-scale damaged infrastructure, for kindergartens, centres for the internally displaced people (IDPs) and dwellings for children with disabilities.

The EU is strengthening resilience against cyber threats and disinformation by providing local journalists and other relevant stakeholders from the Sea of Azov region with targeted training sessions.

Original source: European Commission
Published on 08 July 2019