European Commission sends Ukraine list of 11 bills that will allow Ukraine to receive funding
In a situation where Ukraine urgently needs external financing, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán maintains his veto on the main financial aid package, Brussels has proposed an alternative route for Kyiv to obtain budget support while also creating a positive impulse in relations with the EU.
Source: a letter from Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, to Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament), a copy of which was seen by European Pravda
Details: European Pravda has verified the authenticity of the document with two independent sources.
In the two-page letter, Kos avoided mentioning Hungary's veto on starting the allocation of €90 billion in aid to Ukraine, saying that parliament cannot influence the resolution of this issue. However, she stressed that the Verkhovna Rada could help Ukraine obtain the funding it needs and proposed that it adopt a list of 11 bills attached to the letter.
Quote: "These reforms (listed in the table attached to this letter) do not only support Ukraine's accession path, but they are also part of the Ukraine Plan, which forms the basis for the disbursement of financial assistance under the Ukraine Facility. Effective and swift adoption of these measures would unlock up to €4 billion in funding for Ukraine."
More details: All of these bills are part of Ukraine's overdue commitments from last year, have passed European Commission review and are ready for adoption in the version known to the relevant committees of the Ukrainian parliament. Some of them need to be passed as quickly as possible so that the allocated funds do not lapse. The key feature is that if they are adopted, the allocation of the money will not require unanimity in the EU, meaning Orbán will not be able to block these funds.
Marta Kos's letter separately states that this time not only funding is at stake. In a situation where parliament has sharply reduced its effectiveness, Ukraine has faced the need to reassure EU member states of its readiness to carry out reforms and remain in the group of leaders among candidate countries.
One of European Pravda's sources said that voting on these bills is, without exaggeration, seen as a test.
Marta Kos's letter also stresses that the EU expects the bills from the list to be adopted at the next parliament sessions scheduled for next week.
Quote: "The upcoming plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada in April offers an opportunity to move forward. Continued progress would help maintain reform momentum, bring Ukraine closer to EU membership, and deliver concrete results for Ukrainian citizens. The adoption of these laws would also send a strong signal to all EU Member States at an important juncture about Ukraine's unwavering commitment to deliver on its reform agenda."
More details: The package comprises 11 bills. Marta Kos specifically highlighted the laws on the enforcement and digitalisation of court decisions and on declarations of integrity of judges, which, she says, will help strengthen trust in the justice system, amendments to the law on civil service, reforms in the energy sector and reforms in the railway sector.
Quote: "Let me emphasise that these reforms are not only about EU accession: they bring real benefits for people and businesses in Ukraine."
Background:
- The €90 billion aid package remains frozen because of Orbán's veto, as he demands the restoration of the oil flow through the Druzhba oil pipeline.
- It was reported earlier that Ukraine is losing €300 million this quarter and could lose billions more if it continues to miss the opportunities provided by the EU and international organisations.
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