The European Commission spoke about the next steps for Ukraine to receive 2 billion euros under the Ukraine Facility mechanism.
This was stated at a briefing by the Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission, Arianna Podesta.
According to her, Ukraine may send the EU a request for the next payment under the Ukraine Facility after several bills voted by the Verkhovna Rada, necessary to unblock this money, come into force.
Podesta clarified that we are talking about five laws, three of which are included in the “plan for Ukraine” drawn up to implement the Ukraine Facility mechanism, which European Commissioner Marta Kos drew attention to the day before in a letter to the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada.
“Only when the laws enter into force will Ukraine be able to include them in the next request for payment, which will allow the funds that are currently suspended to be unblocked. This works like this: after they enter into force, Ukraine will have to submit an application for the payment of the next tranche, providing, among other conditions, confirmation of the entry into force of these laws,” the EC representative said.
According to her, this will allow the European Commission to assess the request and submit a proposal to the EU Council in the form of an implementing decision, which the EU Council will have to approve, after which Ukraine will receive the payment.
Podesta noted that she could not name the terms of allocating money to Ukraine
“We welcome the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of a number of draft laws that contribute to Ukraine's progress on the path to EU accession. This is a very positive step. Also, allow me to particularly welcome the progress made in IMF-related legislation,” the spokeswoman said.
On April 7, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading and as a whole Bill No. 14005 on the digitalization of procedures for the execution of court decisions, which is an indicator under the Ukraine Facility program.
Also, in the final second reading, Law No. 12087-d on the unification of the electricity markets of Ukraine and Europe and the law on “industrial visa-free travel” with the EU were adopted.
In addition, the Verkhovna Rada approved the “European integration” bill 14412 “On the principles of the separation and distribution of powers between levels of public governance.”