EU to Transfer 135 Mln Euros to Moldova and Ukraine

The European Commission has decided to transfer money from the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument initially prepared for the Interreg NEXT 2021-2027 programs with Russia and Belarus. “I am glad that the funds we initially prepared for this cooperation will be redistributed to EU programs with Ukraine and Moldova. This will contribute to stronger cooperation between EU and Ukrainian and Moldovan partners,” Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira said. The European Commission stressed that this funding will support Solidarity Lanes programs and the development of cross-border transport ties, health services, education and research projects, social integration schemes, as well as strengthening the institutional capacity of Ukrainian and Moldovan public authorities. In March 2022, the Commission suspended cooperation with Russia and its ally Belarus under the Interreg programs. As a result, €26 million were reallocated to support cooperation programs with Ukraine and Moldova. This decision helps to redistribute the remaining funds from 2021 to 2027 in the same way. In addition, the Commission decided that Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Poland, which were to participate in the cooperation programs with Russia and Belarus, can join other existing Interreg projects.