Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Oleksiy Kuleba met with representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine.
The parties discussed the priorities of regional policy and decentralization reform in Ukraine. In particular, those initiatives related to the implementation of the Recovery, Reconstruction and Modernization Plan within the Ukraine Facility. This is a financial instrument for our country that the European Council approved on February 1 this year. It provides €50 billion for 2024-2027.
"In a time of war, sustained international support is key to the further implementation of reforms," emphasized Oleksiy Kuleba.
The parties noted Ukraine's progress in meeting specific membership criteria with a focus on regional development and reform of local state administrations.
The best indicator of Ukraine's progress on the path to European integration was the fact that in March this year the Council of the EU started consideration of a draft Negotiating Framework for Ukraine and Moldova. Oleksiy Kuleba thanked the delegates of the EU Delegation for their effective cooperation and emphasized the importance of approving the Framework before the European Parliament elections in June.
For their part, the partners also praised our country's success.
"The role of local governments will remain important for two strategic processes in Ukraine: EU enlargement and recovery," said Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation.
Oleksiy Kuleba extended an invitation to the next meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, which will be held shortly.