On 7 May 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, took part in the meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration, which focused on the situation in Ukraine and the Ukraine Plan.
Baiba Braže pointed out that support to Ukraine remains a priority for the coming years as well. The Minister underlined that upon taking up her present post her first ever foreign visit had been to Ukraine, since it was vital to demonstrate unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, including support in the reform process. The Minister emphasised the need to enlist all the support Ukraine needs to help it win the war and move ahead on its course towards EU membership. The Ukraine Plan is an instrument of strategic importance for Ukraine to implement reforms and receive EUR 50 billion in EU funding from 2024 to 2027.
Discussions also were held on the current situation in Palestine and the provision of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, as well as on the EU and its Member States rendering development cooperation support in fragile and unstable regions, especially in Africa.
Background information
- The Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration addresses the matters of development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The meetings, held on a biannual basis, are chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
- The Ukraine Plan: On 18 March 2024, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers approved the Ukraine Plan that unblocks the disbursement of EU funding (EUR 50 billion under the EU Ukraine Facility from 2024 to 2027). The plan provides for support to Ukraine’s budget (around EUR 38 billion) and business development (EUR 6.97 billion), as well as for the implementation of reforms and promotion of EU integration (EUR 4.76 billion). The plan envisages reforms in a number of areas, including public administration, fighting corruption, public finance management, business environment, the agri-food, energy and transport sectors.
