European Union Council of Foreign Affairs: Minister Baiba Braže vows unwavering support for Ukraine and highlights importance of aid and reform

On 7 May 2024, in Brussels (Belgium), Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže participated in the Council of Foreign Affairs of the European Union Minister for Development Cooperation at the meeting, which focused on the situation in Ukraine and the plan for Ukraine.

B. Braže pointed out that aAid to Ukraine is also a priority in the coming years. The minister also confirmed that her first foreign visit as foreign minister was directly to Ukraine, because it is very important to express unwavering support and loyalty to Ukraine, including support for the reform process. The minister emphasized that all necessary support should be given to Ukraine to help him win the war and move towards EU membership. The Ukraine Plan is a strategically important tool for Ukraine to carry out reforms and receive 50 billion EU funding. in EUR from 2024 to 2027.

There were also discussions about the current situation in Palestine and about providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. Support for development cooperation between the EU and member states in complex and unstable regions, especially in Africa, was also discussed.

For information

Ministers of Foreign Affairs threshold before the meeting

In the form of development cooperation with the EU Foreign Affairs Council examines issues of development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell (Joseph Borrell). The meetings are attended by ministers responsible for development cooperation and are usually held once every six months.

Ukraine plan: On March 18, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the plan of Ukraine, which will allow Ukraine to receive funding from the EU (the EU instrument for Ukraine). support 50 billion in EUR from 2024 to 2027). The plan is intended to support Ukraine’s budget (approximately EUR 38 billion) and business development (EUR 6.97 billion), as well as the implementation of reforms and the promotion of EU integration (EUR 4.76 billion). The plan envisages reform in several areas – public administration, fight against corruption, management of public funding, business promotion, agriculture, energy, transport, etc.