The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, and the Ambassador of the French Republic to Ukraine, Gaël Vayssier, signed a grant agreement aimed at assisting in the restoration and support of Ukraine's critical infrastructure and priority sectors of the economy, totaling EUR 200 million.
“This is EUR 200 million in grants that can be utilized by companies in France and Ukraine, as well as local authorities, to support critically important infrastructure and mining operations in Ukraine. Thus, the intergovernmental agreement was signed on June 7. Today, we are signing the financing agreement,” Vayssier stated during the signing ceremony in Kyiv on Monday.
He explained that the projects for funding are currently being discussed by the Ukrainian side, decisions are being made on them, after which they will be approved by the French side. Shortly after that, these funds will become available for use.
According to the French ambassador, the implementation of projects could commence this year, within a few weeks.
“Many projects have been presented, totaling over EUR 700 million, but there are only EUR 200 million. This indicates that French companies are ready to be active here, to engage with Ukraine; they believe in Ukraine's future, just like we do. So, this is very encouraging. This is very positive,” Vayssier emphasized.
In turn, Svyrydenko mentioned that at this point, she cannot specify the exact contracts that will be implemented under the agreement, as they need to await approval from the French side.
She noted that, from the Ukrainian side, the participants in the contracts within the agreement will primarily be ministries as central executive authorities that initiated the projects.
Moreover, she highlighted that all projects under the signed agreement will focus on demining the territory of Ukraine, as well as areas related to healthcare, maintaining critical infrastructure, water supply, and energy.
“By mutual agreement, considering all these challenges related to energy, we want at least EUR 60 million of this amount to be allocated for energy maintenance and the implementation of water supply projects,” Svyrydenko stated.
As reported, on June 7, French President Emmanuel Macron announced at a Reconstruction Fund meeting the decision to create new tools to support the recovery of Ukraine, leading to the signing of the Fund Agreement for EUR 200 million. These funds will be allocated to enterprises that will invest in restoring Ukraine's critical infrastructure.