Peter Wagner, the Head of the European Commission Support Group, on the eve of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels evaluated the progress Ukraine made in fighting corruption and judiciary reform, and talked about the support plans of the EU for Ukraine.
How do you estimate Ukrainian government efforts in re-integration of Donbas with Ukraine?
There is an actual plan of the government on Donbas which EU hopes will be implemented. It has been prepared together with international community. For the EU, I can say that we are already reinforcing our existing efforts. In December, we are hopefully signing an agreement to set up EUR 50 mn programme dedicated to eastern Ukraine, to the two oblasts which are suffering most from the impact of the war. The EU wants to set up the whole range of actions with which we want to allow education to be improved because we know that all the universities had to be relocated. We would like to address the medical situation, but we also like to start revitalizing the economy. Because many people have lost their homes, their jobs. And it is important that new jobs are created and we would like to contribute to it.What do you think about the idea of Marshal Plan for Ukraine suggested by Lithuania?
Since the Maidan Revolution the EU pledged more than EUR 13 mn in support of Ukraine and about 11 mn of that money has already been dispersed, including with the international European financial institutions support measures. What we find right in the current discussions is that firstly the idea of European Marshal plan for Ukraine is concentrating on investment because the key is to re-dynamize the economy, create jobs for the people. And it is not only about the public investments, it is much more about mobilizing the enormous private investment that is needed. What would be facilitating such private investments that is a significant improvement in the situation of rule of law, anti-corruption so that companies feel safe when invest in Ukraine. Once this is the case, we share the view of many our international partners than they would come to Ukraine and invest significant and create jobs. On the other hand, we are also looking indeed as suggested by the Lithuanian colleagues at the option of public investments and we are trying to find the best possibilities to use the funds that are available in a more efficient way. We should not forget that there are billions of funds which have been committed and signed up to, but which are not implemented for numerous, sometimes bureaucratic, reasons. So, unblocking this pipeline of projects would already contribute a lot. And thirdly, it is crucial that any such help is clearly linked with conditions.
