The joint debate will address various topics, focusing on the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. This dam was located in an area of southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces and Kyiv and Moscow have been blaming each other for the destruction. MEPs will also outline their view on how to sustainably reconstruct Ukraine and integrate it into the Euro-Atlantic community. Consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam / Reconstruction of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community: Opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

DOMBROVSKIS, Valdis (EPP, LV, EC)

ROSWALL, Jessika (SE)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam / Reconstruction of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community: Opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, President, Honourable Members, Commissioner. The destruction of the Kakhovka, the hydroelectric power plant on June 6th would not have happened if Russia had not started its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, We, as the European Union, have condemned this attack. It represent another violation of international law, notably international humanitarian law. We expressed our full sympathy and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, especially those in the affected areas, for their losses and suffering.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, The downstream extreme flooding has endangers the lives of thousands of innocent people and is affecting water and energy supplies. It has also extremely negative consequences for the environment and agriculture in vast areas of Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, This ecological and environmental catastrophe will take years to repair and those responsible need to be held to account for this and for as well for other war crimes in connection with the Russian aggression.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Dealing with the consequences of this despicable act and relieving the damage caused will be the part of our efforts towards recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, We will continue our response to the Russia war, as we have done until now, along three steps: through our unwavering support to Ukraine, and in this regard, I would like to thank the European Parliament for its resolute support; the international isolation of sanctions against Russia and diplomatic outreach for the world to mitigate the effect of the Russians war and fight back russian disinformation, which regrettably still has an impact that attracts attraction.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Today, the EU and its Member States support Ukraine and most at least €70 billion, including macro financial assistance, military support and humanitarian aid. We will continue to strengthen this support for as long as it takes. It is crucial to help Ukraine prevail, win the war and win the peace.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, And our support is clear. First, a security commitment to Ukraine. It includes European Peace Facility, training of Ukrainian soldiers, EUMAM, more air defence support and ramping up the EU Defence Industry. The initial objectives of 15,000 soldiers trained is already reached and we are well on track to train the new objective of 30,000 soldiers.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Our initiative to ammunition is a clear example on how the EU thinks and acts, both short and long term. We are delivering on a promise of 1 million rounds of ammunition within 12 months. We will also support looking into different options to ensure that our military support is still sustainable in the long term. We have allocated €500 million to ramp up European defence industries through ASAP, the Act of Support of Ammunition Production.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Second, nearly a year ago, the EU took a truly historic decision. Ukraine was granted the candidate country status. The strategic objective of both, the EU and Ukraine, is clear, EU membership. The process must be merit based and necessary reforms implemented. Ukraine's European path represents the EU's ultimate solidarity and support to Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Third, we continue working to undermine Russia's war machine also through sanctions, with ten packages adopted and work ongoing towards adopting a of an 11th package. And I can assure you that the Swedish presidency is working hard to twist the adoption of this package.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, We have sanctioned 1473 individuals and 207 entities. We have taken sectoral measures, including export controls, and we have phased out Russian energy and taken action to stop access to the international financial system and assets abroad.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Fourth, accountability. We continue working together with Ukraine to ensure full accountability for war crimes and other serious crimes committed against Ukraine, including the crime of aggression. In addition to a supporter the ICC and Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General, we work on a joint EU position on the dedicated Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Fifth, peace support, supporting Presidency Zelensky's Peace Formula and the Organisation of Peace Formula Summit with wide international participation. No one is longing for peace more than Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, We support President Zelensky's initiative for a just peace based on respect for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as protected by the UN Charter. We see you EU have a clear responsibility to ensure that Ukraine will become a successful EU Member State.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, This responsibility calls for a continuous mobilisation. Today, while Russia continues waging war and committing war crimes. Tomorrow, for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine and throughout to us to support Ukraine in implementing the reforms needed into the view to the EU accession. Thank you very much. I am looking forward to the debate.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, I'm here to address you today on the latest developments in Ukraine. The update on EU support after the destruction of Nova Kakhovka dam and our approach for Ukraine's reconstruction conference next week in London.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, We have expressed our support to Ukrainian people whose lives are at risk as a result of this senseless attack, which represents a new dimension of Russian atrocities. One of the most critical aspects that we must continue to follow is potential impact on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, The situation is currently stable as water levels from cooling pond within the reservoir also remain stable. We are also appalled by very alarming reports that Russian forces are shelling Ukrainian rescuers trying to reach flooded areas in the Kherson region.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Since the early hours of 6th of June, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission has been closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant contact with the Ukrainian emergency services. A first coordinated meeting with Ukraine and the civil protection authorities of all EU Member States took place on 6th of June and resulted in a formal request for assistance from Ukrainian State Emergency Service.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, To date, 14 Member States and EU Civil Protection Mechanism, in which states participated offering assistance to Ukraine. This includes 76 boats over 300 water pumps and over 160,000 shelter items. The Commission's immediate response to the dam breach and the rapid mobilisation of assistance is a result of foresight works that began months before.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Ever since, Russian forces occupied the dam, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre has developed a detailed impact analysis and modelling of various degrees of a dam breaker. This analysis has been constantly updated and shared with Ukrainian emergency services for contingency planning and operational preparedness. This work allowed valuable time to be gained and situational awareness for emergency response after last week's events. Similar work is needed for other disaster risks.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Honourable Members, I will now turn to the next point at this debate, the reconstruction of Ukraine. The EU is committed to a long term support for Ukraine's recovery and construction. The Commission is looking at EU support for Ukraine in the medium term beyond 2023 as part of our mid-term review of 2024-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, which is ongoing.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, It is clear that investment in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction cannot wait until the war ends. In many regions it can start now, supporting the recovery implies sustaining economic activity, people with critical needs and basic infrastructure all vital for much needed stability and growth.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Ukraine will need additional support this year, in particular for its rapid recovery needs. The rapid damage and needs assessment has estimated its immediate rapid recovery needs for 2023 at $14 billion for priority areas like civil and social infrastructure, energy, infrastructure, housing, private sector development and humanitarian demining.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, In order to have a clear overview of needs and how to better respond to them, well-structured and coordinated approach of reconstruction is needed, both when it comes to fast recovery and longer term measures. We need a plan that is fully owned by Ukraine and ensures a broad government approach setting out a clear vision and sequence reconstruction priorities and supporting the EU accession track.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, It will facilitate securing predictable financial support beyond 2023 from a broader donor base. This will require a broad government approach, including at central and local levels, as the government should use the full potential of the multi-agency donor coordination platform in which Ukraine takes part as its central coordination mechanism for Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, This includes the decisive role that it can play in mobilising global efforts beyond 2023 and matching the needs with resources. It is important to stress that Ukraine's reconstruction should also be financed by Russian assets. The EU is committed to ensuring that Russia is held fully accountable for its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, We have to ensure strong coordination with our European financial institutions, both the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to make sure that they play an important role in Ukraine's reconstruction. This includes fast recovery as well as post-war reconstruction efforts, both banks can live up to the role of stepping up their support for Ukraine from the very first day of Russia's war.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, The EIB has also set up the EU for Ukraine Initiative to finance its recovery and reconstruction, the Commission and the EIB are finalising agreement today to enable EIB to provide €100 million of new loans to Ukraine with support of the EU guarantee. It means that EBRD governors agreed to launch the process of capital increase to provide more firepower for the continuous critical roles of the bank place in Ukraine and its forthcoming reconstruction.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, The successful meeting, the third meeting of the steering Committee of Multi-Agency Donor Coordination platform on 26th May, confirms the platform's vital role as a catalyst for mobilising international commitments to respond to Ukraine's priority needs in 2023 and beyond, and to facilitate ever closer coordination to help meet the needs on the ground. The next steering committee meeting will take place in person in the margins of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, The European Commission welcomes the focus of the London Recovery Conference on the private sector. It seems that various initiatives are being developed for private sector support. This is good, but we need to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, The reforms related to improving the business environment are crucial for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. The perspective of the EU accession provides fundamental value in this regard. The public sector will play an important role in providing guarantees and other de-risking instruments, particularly insurance, to enable private sector participation and investment in Ukraine. This will be particularly important to restore trade and commerce flows.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, The European Commission is working to launch a pilot facility to counter-guarantee export trade agencies, SOEs as they can continue to cover for exports on the EU companies to Ukraine. The lack of for insurance in most EU Member States is seen as one of the barriers to engage private business in Ukraine's reconstruction.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, We are in discussion with several partners, including the UK and the EBRD about a potential scheme to incentivise the insurance industry to launch our insurance policies for Ukraine. The Commission is also working with EIB on a €40 million guarantee facility for micro, small and medium sized enterprises.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Honourable Members, It is important to keep Ukraine high on the leaders agenda to demonstrate the EU's unwavering support pending on the oral update on implementing the seven States of the Commission opinion, we will update as Ukraine continues its war efforts.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Progress on reforms during wartime has been impressive, but some work remains to be done. The European Commission and our delegation are closely cooperating with Ukrainian interlocutors on a few outstanding issues.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, It is important that is, EU sends a message to Ukraine and our international partners that the EU is ready to ensure sustainable and predictable financial support beyond 2023. The EU will play a special role for Ukraine's reconstruction, and the reconstruction efforts need to go hand in hand with the reforms to build a modern and resilient country that is resolutely turned towards the EU.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, The Commission is working on proposals in this area that will likely accompanies a mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework. The Commission cannot comment on certain states relationships with NATO, as the EU has no say on that. But as I said, it's clear that credible arrangements are needed to guarantee Ukraine's future security and to break Russia's cycle of aggression. Thank you.