Ukraine joined the ‘Digital Europe’ program
With a budget of 7.5 billion euros for supercomputers, artificial intelligence, cyber security and two more digital directions
Ukraine and the EU have signed five agreements on cooperation in various fields as part of the two-year plan for integration into the European Union, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on his Telegram channel.
One of the documents — the agreement on Ukraine’s participation in the EU program “Digital Europe” (2021-2027) — is part of the digital visa-free regime with the EU. The Digital Europe program has a budget of 7.5 billion euros for the development of projects in the following five areas:
- supercomputer;
- Artificial Intelligence;
- cyber security;
- digital skills;
- ensuring the widespread use of digital technologies in the economy and society.
Starting this fall and until 2027, Ukrainian companies will be able to apply for funding. About 6 billion euros are provided for the financing of projects in the specified and available directions of the Program for Ukraine. They will be allocated for 7 years.
The other four agreements concern cooperation in the customs, tax and budget spheres:
- The agreement on Ukraine’s participation in the EU program for cooperation in the customs sphere – from October 1, visa-free customs with the EU will start, and this agreement allows Ukraine to join the program of cooperation in the customs sphere with a budget of almost 1 billion euros. This will allow improving the qualification of Ukrainian customs officers, to participate in the development and use of European electronic systems.
- Agreement on Ukraine’s participation in the Fiscalis EU tax cooperation program — the State Tax Service of Ukraine will be able to exchange experience and data with the EU. It also makes it possible to use modern European IT systems in the field of taxation.
- The agreement on providing Ukraine with budgetary support for 500 million euros — the funds will be directed to providing housing for internally displaced persons, as well as to support small farmers so that they can continue and develop their business.
- The agreement, thanks to which the European Commission increases the budget for grants for Ukraine by 122 million euros, will ensure the financing of priority projects for Ukraine and speed up their receipt due to the fact that grants can be provided directly to state authorities, local self-government and public organizations.
As Shmyhal noted, these five agreements are an important element of the two-year plan for integration into the European Union.
We will remind you that at the end of June, Ukraine received the status of a candidate country for EU membership, and since then, several important agreements have been concluded, including “transport visa-free”, “energy visa-free” and “customs visa-free”. These agreements bring our country closer to joining the European Union, contribute to stability in the war against the Russian aggressor and speedy recovery of the economy.
