Since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the volume of support Latvia has provided to Ukraine has reached EUR 595 million, which is equal to 0.85% of GDP, says Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Krišjānis Kariņš in the annual report on accomplishments and plans for the country’s foreign policy and EU affairs.
He said the support is provided to Ukraine in the form of military, financial and humanitarian aid to reduce the consequences of the Russian aggression and to assist with reforms. Latvia supports Ukraine’s euro-integration efforts and the launch of accession negotiations to the European Union (EU), as well as the enhancement of Ukraine’s military capabilities and the implementation of the necessary reforms to allow Ukraine to join NATO as soon as circumstances allow.
According to the minister, to ensure provision of financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Latvia’s foreign affairs service continued performing the main coordinating function. Thanks to close cooperation with state institutions and NGOs, it was possible to provide consultations and practical assistance.
Macro-financial, humanitarian and development aid provided from the state budget reaches EUR 39 million. This money was used to contribute to UN, World Bank, European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and OECD instruments in support of Ukraine and to finance development cooperation projects, Kariņš explains.
He also stressed that Latvia continued its involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction process, with a focus on Chernihiv region.
In 2023 Latvia provided Ukraine with EUR 5.1 million for reconstruction. EUR 3.1 million was implemented in various projects by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A contract of EUR 2 million has been signed with the UN Development Programme in Ukraine for the reconstruction of social infrastructure facilities in the Chernihiv region.
In cooperation with the Businessmen for Peace foundation it was possible to reconstruct six apartment homes and develop a community centre project in Yahidne village. Centrs Marta opened two support centres for women in Chernihiv.
The Environment Protection and Regional Development Ministry implemented a territorial planning document in Chernihiv region. EUR 2 million was provided to the Ministry of Economy to promote Latvian entrepreneurs’ involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Kariņš said that together with various projects to overcome the consequences of war, Ukraine’s euro integration support projects continued in 2023. These projects received financing of more than EUR 500 000 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs development cooperation budget. Latvia provided support for the improvement of good management, promotion of entrepreneurship and agriculture, training of young professionals, gender equality and implementation of various health and psychological rehabilitation programs.
The report stresses that projects were implemented in cooperation with Centrs Marta, Businessmen for Peace, Ministry of Finance, State Forensic Science Bureau, State Border Guard, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Latvian Rural Advisory and Education Center, Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, National Rehabilitation Center “Vaivari”, Latvian Association of Microsurgeons, University of Latvia and Riga Graduate School of Law.
“Latvia will continue to support Ukraine’s euro-integration process, focusing priorities in this area on strengthening Ukrainian institutions, promoting the fight against corruption, strengthening internal security structures and national defence capabilities and resilience, developing export capacity and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, as well as improving capacities to combat disinformation,” said Kariņš.
He added that since the start of the war in Ukraine, Latvian medical institutions have provided medical assistance and rehabilitation to 240 Ukrainian troops.
The minister also mentioned that institutions that answer to Latvian Ministry of the Interior, municipalities and NGOs have provided aid worth more than EUR 1 million to help deal with the consequences of the flooding caused by the destruction of Kakhovka dam.
The report also stresses that Latvian civilians, businessmen and NGO sector continue supporting Ukraine – support is provided in both humanitarian and military fields. Ziedot.lv charity organisation has received donations from residents worth more than EUR 23.7 million. Donations are spent on the needs of Ukraine’s military, medical institutions and Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.
Businessmen for Peace continue supporting Ukraine by providing their armed forces with various support and carrying humanitarian goods to Ukraine worth more than EUR 8.5 million. Tavi Draugi association has donated support worth more than EUR 6 million.
“On the EU level the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands in favour of changing the approach to providing support to Ukraine, adding that it needs to become systematic and focused on a longer period of time, knowing full well that Russia still has sufficient resources to continue its aggression against Ukraine. Latvia strongly advocates the creation of a EUR 50 billion Ukrainian instrument by the year 2027 to support Ukraine’s macro-financial and reform implementation,” said Kariņš.
He also stressed that Latvia supported the extension of the suspension of import duties for products manufactured in Ukraine until the middle of 2024. EU’s trade preferences provide for the complete abolition of import duties, tariff quotas and anti-dumping duties on goods made in Ukraine.
Kariņš explains that these activities help create additional trade concessions for Ukrainian goods in accordance with EU-Ukrainian Association Agreement. The Latvian minister said the country will continue supporting Ukraine and the restoration of its economy using EU trade instruments.
“Latvia continued supporting the opinion in regards to the creation of an EU-level legal solution to make sure the Russian funds frozen in Europe as a result of sanctions are diverted towards the reconstruction of Ukraine. Latvia continued supporting Grain From Ukraine initiative. In 2023 the country paid EUR 50 000 towards this goal,” the report continues.
According to the minister, to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities, Latvia continued providing military support to Ukraine. The volume of this support has reached EUR 370 million since the start of the conflict. Latvia has sent Ukraine drones, helicopters, howitzers, arms and individual equipment, munitions, anti-tank weapons, as well as Stinger anti-air missile launchers.
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