Ukraine granted access to EU's €21 billion transport programme

Ukraine and the European Union signed an agreement on Tuesday on the participation of Ukrainian projects in the European Connecting Europe Facility programme, reported the press services of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the European Commission.

The agreement will allow Ukraine to apply for funding within future CEF transport tenders, one of which will take place in the near future. Ukraine has already submitted applications for the first six project proposals and is preparing proposals for next year.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said the agreement will primarily improve export logistics on Ukraine's western borders. "It's about increasing the capacity of road and railway checkpoints," he said, after signing the document on behalf of Ukraine.

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is already financing several projects linked to Ukraine, including reconstructing the runway at Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in Poland, modernizing a transshipment terminal in Košice, building a bridge across the Prut River between Romania and Moldova, and upgrading the port in Constanța.

"With today’s agreement, Ukraine will now be able to submit applications on their own, opening the door to projects that will help modernise Ukraine’s infrastructure and improve its connectivity with the EU, such as investments in border crossings with the EU," said European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean.

The total budget of the CEF until 2027 is €21 billion. Now Ukraine has access to these funds.

The Connecting Europe Facility covers not only transport, but also energy and the digital sphere.

The CEF program for 2021-2027 provides for various financial contributions, mainly in the form of grants, with different co-financing rates depending on the type of project.