European parliament committee supports new macro-financial aid for Ukraine
The European Parliament's Committee on International Trade has discussed a proposal made by the European Commission on granting a third macro-financial assistance package of up to EUR 1.8 billion to Ukraine.
"I'm thankful to all "shadow" rapporteurs. This is a very important message to Ukraine that we're united in our position," committee rapporteur Gabrielius Landsbergis (Lithuania) said after the discussion.
He also said that the today's agenda includes the issue of Ukraine's survival as a country which requires the provision of larger assistance.
It is planned that the Committee on International Trade will decide its position on the provision of further macro-financial assistance to Ukraine at a meeting on March 18-19 and the European Parliament – at its session in April.
The European Commission proposed on January 8, 2015 that an additional EUR 1.8 billion of macro-financial assistance be provided to Ukraine. The decision was made in response to a request made by the Ukrainian government for an additional EUR 2 billion.
If the program is approved, Ukraine will receive two tranches by the end of the year and a third tranche in early 2016.
