KIEV, October 22 (RIA Novosti) - The European Union will allocate some 17 million euro ($21.5 million) to help with the reconstruction of Ukraine’s war-shattered eastern regions, the Ukrainian Ministry of Regional Development said Wednesday.
These are “irrevocable funds that will help Ukraine more efficiently solve the problems that have arisen as a result of the conflict in the east of the country,” Miroslav Koshelyuk, Ukraine’s deputy regional development minister, is quoted as saying on the ministry's official website.
According to Koshelyuk, "this project aims to support the welfare of communities affected by the conflict, as well as those who have taken on the significant task of supporting internally displaced persons. It is these communities that need to become the authors of projects for which the European Union is ready to allocate funds."
The European Union will provide grants in the amount of 200,000 to two million euros for a period of six to 18 months for projects to rebuild infrastructure and housing, set up temporary accommodation and provide health services and education. The financial aid will amount to 17 million euros, said a statement published by Ukraine's Regional Development Ministry on Wednesday.
According to the statement, EU representatives have suggested that Ukrainian authorities send in an application containing an overview of issues that need to be addressed and proposed measures to resolve these issues. Local authorities, such as regional administrations and city councils, could apply to receive grants from the EU.
In mid-April, Kiev launched a military operation against independence supporters in eastern Ukraine. Some 3,700 people have been killed and over 9,000 have sustained injuries since the beginning of the armed conflict, according to the latest UN estimates. On September 5, the conflicting sides agreed on a ceasefire at a meeting of the trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine in Minsk.
