The European Union has announced intensified cooperation with six countries participating in the Eastern Partnership program, including Ukraine. The plan, presented by Brussels on Friday, is backed by a € 2.3 billion investment package.
“The Eastern Partnership remains at the top of the European Union’s agenda … Our work is based on the promotion of democracy, good governance and the rule of law, which are so important for the positive, concrete results of our cooperation,” said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs. and security policy by Joseph Borrell.
According to a statement on the European Commission’s website, the updated agenda consists of five long-term goals, “based on resilience to external influences.”
The agenda is aimed at increasing trade, accelerating economic growth and job creation, investing in interconnectedness, strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, supporting the transition to green and digital technologies, and promoting fair, gender-equitable and open societies.
The ten main objectives of the EU’s cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries for 2025, defined by the order, include additional support for half a million small and medium enterprises, construction or modernization of 3,000 kilometers of priority roads and railways in line with EU standards, anti-corruption and hybrid threats , enhanced cybersecurity, reduced energy consumption by at least 20% in 250,000 households, improved access to safe water and air quality, 80% of households access to high-speed Internet, assistance in vaccinating health workers, additional support for civil society and independent media, internship opportunities for 70 thousand students, scientists, youth trips.
“The order will be supported by an economic and investment plan worth 2.3 billion euros in the form of grants and guarantees with the potential to mobilize up to 17 billion euros of public and private investment,” the statement said.
The proposal is planned to be discussed at the Eastern Partnership summit, which is scheduled for December 2021. Ukraine is preparing for the summit together with Georgia and Moldova, using the capabilities of the recently created “associated trio” format.
The Eastern Partnership was launched in 2009 to deepen the EU’s political and economic ties with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The level of involvement of participating countries varies. The EU has signed association agreements with the last three.