Chairmen of the Joint Ukrainian-French commission on economic cooperation ministers Arsen Avakov and Bruno Le Maire discussed key intergovernmental projects
Today, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov and the Minister of Economy and Finance of the French Republic Bruno Le Mer held a telephone conversation with the participation of ambassadors of two states Vadym Omelchenko and Etienne de Ponsen. The parties discussed the state of cooperation between the countries in the main existing and future economic and social programs.
Particularly, they had a discussion on the actual readiness for the start of the implementation of a new project for the construction of patrol boats for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine by the OSEA company with the participation of domestic shipbuilders in Mykolaiv city. In addition, the further development of successful cooperation with Airbus Helicopters in creating a unified system of aviation security and civil protection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine was discussed.
Furthermore, the Chairmen of the intergovernmental commission negotiated on solving the issues of French investors Total Eren and Akuo Energy in the field of renewable energy and the possibility of building energy storage capacities in cooperation between Ukrenergo and RTE / SAFT. In addition, the ministers Avakov and Bruno Le Mayr shared their views on the possible involvement of French financial institutions to provide housing for the MIA employees on mortgage or financial leasing terms, and also they discussed the attraction of international technical assistance from the Government of the French Republic aimed at strengthen public safety and the social sphere of Donbass.
“We are ready for launching and signing a contract with OCEA to start the construction of border patrol boats to strengthen maritime security and defense of Ukraine. This project with a total value of 136 million euros is the second most important for our countries after the project on helicopters with Airbus. Its implementation is strategically important for cooperation between our states and raises it to a fundamentally new level. OCEA has been selected among more than 10 industry leading suppliers. An intergovernmental agreement to support France has already been ratified by our parliament. We invite representatives from the French Government to the ceremony of signing the contract, which will be held in Ukraine in mid-July this year with the participation of the Ukrainian partner, the shipyard in Mykolaiv, which will build 5 out of a total of 20 modern boats, ” Arsen Avakov said.
During this year, it is planned to deliver to Ukraine four more French H225 helicopters for NGU and SESU, two H145 helicopters for NPU and the H225 simulator for the base in the training center of the Kremenchug Flight College of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs and spare parts for the Service Center. As you know, Airbus helicopters are actively involved in coping with the natural disasters in the western regions of Ukraine.
Regarding the start of a humanitarian project to improve water supply in Mariupol worth 64 million euros, Minister Arsen Avakov told his French colleague: “Mariupol is strategically important to us and we are very glad that the project will be officially launched in the coming weeks. At the same time, we are considering the possibility of starting negotiations on its extension to the Luhansk region, namely the Popasna district, at the next stage. These territories are having a rough time and everything aimed at improving the humanitarian situation there is always a priority for the Ukrainian authorities. "
The Minister of Economy and Finance of the French Republic Bruno Le Mer expressed gratitude to Arsen Avakov for cooperation and expressed readiness to work together on the implementation of existing and future mutually beneficial projects.
"On behalf of the Government of Ukraine, I would like express my gratitude to the French government and the French people for their continued political and economic support of our country. Despite all the difficulties, Ukraine and France always stand beside each other and together overcome the challenges we face, "Arsen Avakov said.
