Statement: Preparing Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova for association with EU

In the context of growing regional pressures on Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, and delivering on its pledge to coordinate international assistance to Ukraine, the European Commission agreed with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the presence of EU Commissioner Štefan Füle on 1 April in Brussels to spearhead enhanced assistance measures to the three countries.

The assistance measures will notably support Ukraine to implement the IMF-backed reform package agreed on 27 March; they will also support the implementation of Association Agreements, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, signed, or shortly to be signed between the EU and Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Priority investment projects for the three countries will be based on a mix of funds, subsidies and loans, from a range of different actors (referred to as 'blending').

ESO: Background information: EU/Ukraine: Commission proposes a further €1 billion in macro-financial assistance http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-ukraine-commission-proposes-a-further-e1-billion-in-macro-financial-assistance/

ESO: Background information: Website: Eastern Partnership http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-eastern-partnership/

ESO: Background information: Priorities for EU relations with the Eastern Partnership countries http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-priorities-for-eu-relations-with-the-eastern-partnership-countries/

European Commission: RAPID: SPEECH/14/280: Strengthening and empowering Ukraine through decentralisation http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-280_en.pdf

---