The EU has approved a regional economic and investment plan, which envisages the allocation of 2.3 billion euros over the next five years for the implementation of specific projects in the Eastern Partnership countries. Ukraine can count on at least a third of these funds. This was told in a blitz-interview with UNN by Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishina after the summit.

"I would like to emphasize that the European Commission has presented a large investment plan within the framework of the Association Agreement, the substantial part of which (2.3 billion euros are provided for all countries of the Eastern Partnership - ed.) will be allocated for the support of reforms in Ukraine and actually uniting Ukraine with the EU through the development of infrastructure, roads, railways, as well as the support of small and medium businesses. [I can confirm that at least a third of these funds have been earmarked for the five flagship initiatives, which are being worked on in Ukraine", the deputy prime minister said.

According to her, at the same time, a large package of investment support for 7 years involves the possibility of accumulating up to 17 billion euros and it actually depends on all the countries, in particular, Ukraine, how actively they will attract these resources.

She said that during the Sixth Summit of "Eastern Partnership" there were five directions of the EU funds prioritization:

- Logistics and communication issues. The development of border and customs infrastructure - roads, railroads and air service.

- The question of "green transformation", energy efficiency. The European Union is sending, in addition to funds provided in the budget, 100 million euros on energy efficiency program in Ukraine, the development of renewable energy sources. In particular, it is energy-efficient insulation of dwelling houses.

- The support of about 100 thousand small and medium Ukrainian entrepreneurs, who accordingly work in the sphere covered by the Association Agreement.

- Support for thousands of small farms, which are focused on the European market and production of European quality products.

- Acceleration of digital transformation, which involves the modernization of public IT infrastructure (servers, data centers and the like).

"We are actually completing now the technical procedures for agreeing on the financing agreements themselves. And depending on the readiness of each of the five flagship initiatives, they will all be launched in 2022, some earlier (this is the first quarter of 2022), some later. All will be launched during 2022," Stephanishina said.

Let us remind, that in July, the European Union has prepared a plan for further cooperation with the countries of the "Eastern Partnership", which is supported by an investment package of 2.3 billion euros.

Funds will be offered in the form of grants, mixed instruments and guarantees, with the potential to mobilize up to 17 billion euros in public and private investments.