21 may 2010 13:03
European Parliament approves EUR 500 million loan for Ukraine
The European Parliament voted in Strasbourg Tuesday to grant Ukraine macro-financial assistance from the EU in the form of a loan for 500 million euros. European MPs are convinced that this amount will help the country find a way out of economic crisis.
This decision was welcomed by President of European Parliament Jerzy Buzek.
He says he strongly supports the decision by the European Parliament to help Ukraine using a credit instrument. Ukraine is a close strategic partner of the European Union, and this assistance is provided at the time when the EU is helping to mobilize funding to support reforms in Ukraine's energy sector, including the development of solid solutions for medium-term gas transit by Ukraine and the obligations to pay for gas, Jerzy Buzek said.
He stressed that the macro-financial assistance the EU could play a good role in economic stabilization only if the major political forces in Ukraine ensure political stability and achieve a broad consensus on resolute implementation of the necessary structural reforms.
UKRINFORM