Poroshenko proposes EU develop special assistance package for Azov Sea region

Poroshenko on February 28 held a meeting with Dombrovskis, where he welcomed the latter's planned visit to the Ukrainian Azov Sea region. Poroshenko appealed to Dombrovskis with the proposal that the EU draw up a special package of social and economic assistance to the region.

In addition, the sides discussed the implementation of the memorandum of understanding and the loan agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on the fourth program of macro-financial aid for Ukraine worth EUR 1 billion.

"The vice-president of the European Commission highly appreciated the efforts of the president and the government of Ukraine in carrying out political and socio-economic reforms and made sure that the European Union will continue to provide overall support for Ukraine on its road to transformation and implementation of the Association Agreement," the press service reported.

The sides discussed the need to increase pressure on the Kremlin, in particular, for the "full implementation by the Russian side of the Minsk Agreements, the stopping of the creeping annexation of the Azov Sea, the release of all Ukrainian prisoners of war and the return of the occupied territories."

Poroshenko also decorated Dombrovskis with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (Second Class) "for significant personal contribution to the development of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union, significant achievements in the protection of state sovereignty and territorial integrity, support for the implementation of reforms and the European integration course of Ukraine."