The European Commission has suggested on Friday, June 3, that the funds from its Neighbourhood, Development, and International Co-operation Instrument (NDICI) that were intended for Russia and Belarus should be given to analogous projects in Ukraine and Moldova.

Ukraine and Moldova will benefit from EUR 26.2 million NDICI previously allocated to Russia and Belarus. EC suspended co-operation with the two countries in March, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

As Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Ukraine and Moldova are trusted partners of the EU and the EU is strongly committed to long term co-operation with them.” The purpose of the NDICI is to bring “ people living on both sides of the external border of the EU closer to each other and strengthening the collaboration between EU regions and local stakeholders with Ukrainian and Moldovan partners is a concrete step to foster peace and security in the region.” She also announced the EC’s decision on Twitter.

Ukraine & Moldova deserve ??full & unreserved solidarity.

Following decision to suspend cross border projects w/ ?? & ?? we are now transferring €26.2 million initially envisaged for actions w/ these countries to strengthen cooperation with ??and ??.

?https://t.co/kakC31Fuo4 pic.twitter.com/xBucrykF9v

— Elisa Ferreira (@ElisaFerreiraEC) June 3, 2022

According to Commissioner Ferreira, the funding may “support the development of health services, reinforce the institutional capacity of the Ukrainian and Moldovan public authorities, develop education and research projects, or finance social inclusion schemes and job training programmes for refugees.”