The Commission has decided to transfer €135 million originally planned for 2021-2027 Interreg NEXT programmes with Russia and Belarus, to other Interreg programmes with Ukraine and Moldova.

As reported by the European Commission's press service, according to Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, "the decision to cancel the originally envisaged cooperation with Russia and Belarus through our Interreg programmes is the result of the brutal war of Russia against Ukraine."

"I am glad that the funds we had initially planned for this cooperation will now benefit the EU's programmes with Ukraine and Moldova. This will help strengthen collaboration between EU regions and local stakeholders with Ukrainian and Moldovan partners," she said.

According to the press release, this funding may support a range of activities, including Solidarity Lanes and the development of cross-border transport links, health services, education and research projects, social inclusion schemes, as well as reinforcing the institutional capacity of Ukrainian and Moldovan public authorities.

Furthermore, the press release emphasises that involvement in Interreg programmes also brings administrative capacity benefits and experience to both countries in the management and implementation of EU funds.onal capacity of Ukrainian and Moldovan government bodies.

Following the Russian military aggression against Ukraine and in line with the measures adopted by the EU, in March 2022, the Commission had initially suspended cooperation with Russia and its ally Belarus in Interreg programmes. This led to €26 million being redistributed to support cooperation programmes with Ukraine and Moldova.

The European Commission also decided that regions in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Poland which were supposed to participate in cooperation programmes with Russia and Belarus may participate in other existing Interreg programmes.

On July 25, the European Commission announced the an additional macro-financial assistance of 1.5 billion euros to Ukraine.

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