At yesterday's special meeting of the European Council, EU Leaders reached a breakthrough and agreed on the Commission's proposal to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support between now and 2027.
Under the so-called “Ukraine Facility”, the Commission will make available for Ukraine up to €50 billion in grants and highly concessional loans. This crucial funding will help Ukraine keep its administration running, pay salaries, pensions, and provide basic public services, as it continues to defend itself against Russia's aggression.
"Today, Europe got stronger”, President von der Leyen told journalists at the end of the summit, highlighting that “the European Council re-confirmed Europe's unwavering commitment to stand with Ukraine. We all know that Ukraine is fighting for us. So we will support them with the necessary funding and provide them with the much-needed predictability they deserve.”
The Ukraine Facility was proposed by President von der Leyen in June 2023 as part of its broader mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which included new funding for the EU's current and most pressing priorities.
Heads of State and Government also reached an agreement on the overall review. “I am very satisfied that we got 80% of the funding we asked for. We had certainly some difficult choices to make, but we have a very good result,” the President said.
The agreement includes funds for migration management, to support partners in the Western Balkans and the southern neighbourhood, and to increase the EU's capacity to respond to humanitarian crises and natural disasters in the EU and in the world.
Notably, there will be additional funding for the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which will underpin the development of new, critical technologies that Europe needs to strengthen its competitiveness.
Farmers can count on European support
As farmers protests unfold in several European countries, the European Council discussed the current challenges in the agricultural sector.
During the closing press conference, President von der Leyen highlighted the role of farmers in Europe's economy and society, and their contribution to food security. She insisted that farmers can count on the EU's support: “This week, for example, we have proposed additional flexibility to farmers on the so-called fallow land use. And we have proposed safeguards on poultry, eggs and sugar imports from Ukraine to avoid a significant surge in imports.”
The President also said that the Commission pays close attention to farmers' concerns about ensuring a level playing field in trade agreements; and on the issue of administrative burdens, the President announced that the Commission will work with the Council Presidency on a proposal that will be presented at the next Agriculture Council.
Finally, she stressed the importance of also preparing for the mid- and the long-term. Last week, the President convened for the first time a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in the EU with all relevant stakeholders to develop a roadmap on how to reach our commons goals, specially making the EU climate neutral by 2050.
More information
- Press remarks by President von der Leyen at the closing press conference
- Press release on a proposal to allow EU farmers to derogate for one year from certain agricultural rules (31 January 2024)
- Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture
- Press release on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture (25 January 2024)
- Q&A on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture (25 January 2024)
- Q&A on the Ukraine Facility (20 June 2023)
- Audiovisual coverage of the meeting
Details
- Publication date
- 2 February 2024
- Author
- Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations