The European Union is working with international financial institutions to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Ukraine with credit lines of Hr 10 million and 10 million euro, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas has said.
“Yes, we are working on credit lines to provide Hr 10 million and another 10 million euro… I look forward to the opportunity to announce specific details soon,” he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
In addition, the ambassador spoke in detail about the assistance in the amount of 190 million euro to Ukraine by the European Commission.
“The EU’s response to the global crisis has been gradually taking shape. Having experience with EU assistance, I have to say that the EU’s reaction has changed quite quickly. From the initial about 80 million euro, we are now up to 190 million euro, which we were able to mobilize for Ukraine, working over the three main tracks,” Maasikas said.
He said that, firstly, assistance will be aimed at supporting the urgent needs of the Ukrainian health care system, and the EU is working with partners such as the World Health Organization and others.
“Secondly, helping Ukrainian civil society. For centuries, it has always been the community taking care for the people who need the most help. Now volunteers are again at the front lines. They help people who cannot get out, elderly people. They bring food, help teachers online. This is a very important area for people who need help most, “the European diplomat said.
And thirdly, Maasikas said cooperation with international financial institutions, such as the European Investment Bank and others, continues in order to open credit lines for SME in Ukraine.
“At the same time, I want to emphasize that EU assistance on the reform agenda of Ukraine reforms, other things that we do, such as decentralization, public administration reform and others, is ongoing. We might want to focus on the most acute needs, and this is what we do, but we are not leaving aside the other work,” he said.
In addition, he said that the EU greatly appreciates the assistance provided by Ukraine, sending its doctors to Italy.
