ReliefWeb

On 3 May, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers approved the allocation of 175,000 euros in support of reforms in Ukraine and the medical treatment and rehabilitation in Latvia for persons who have been injured in hostilities in Ukraine, and supported in principle an increase in the number of Latvia’s civilian experts participating in international missions in Ukraine.

Out of this, 141,000 euros have been envisaged as financing for a Ministry of Foreign Affairs grant project in Ukraine. In addition, 34,000 euros will go towards medical treatment and rehabilitation in Latvia for persons injured in hostilities in Ukraine.

The Cabinet of Ministers also agreed in principle to increase to five the number of Latvian civilian experts participating in the work of the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) for civilian security sector reform in Ukraine. The number of experts in the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine could be increased to 15 persons. The number of experts actually deployed will depend on the results of competitions organised by the respective international organisations.

Latvia has sent two experts to EUAM Ukraine and seven experts – to the OSCE SMM. The EUAM is vital for facilitating stability in Ukraine since it provides advisory support in the field of reforms of police forces, corruption prevention, and other areas in the civil security sector. The presence of the OSCE mission is important for monitoring what is being done to implement the Minsk agreements as well as obstacles to the implementation of the Minsk agreements on the truce in Ukraine.

Since 2014, Ukraine has been the central priority for Latvia in its development cooperation policy. Latvia has carried out several development cooperation projects in Ukraine to share its experience with reforms on the path towards closer integration with the EU and has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine and ensured that Ukrainian soldiers can undergo medical treatment and rehabilitation in Latvia.

In 2014, Latvia’s support for Ukraine amounted to 518,000 euros and in 2015 it was 644,000 euros.

Press Contacts:

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Email: media@mfa.gov.lv
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