Foreign
THE Ukrainian Government is expected to present its priorities for the country’s post-war reconstruction for the first time on Monday, as representatives of some 40 potential donor countries meet in the Swiss town of Lugano.
Various international organisations and financial institutions were also due to attend the meeting, which was planned to agree on the distribution of various tasks amongst the delegates.
Hundreds of billions of euros would be required to fund the rebuilding of Ukraine’s shattered infrastructure.
The most important principles behind the project would likely spell out in a declaration at the end of the conference.
Those travelling to Lugano for the meeting were expected to include Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was due to address the meeting by video link from Kiev.
“Ukraine is a huge country, a lot has been destroyed, you cannot start planning and coordinating reconstruction soon enough,’’ Markus Berndt said.
Berndt is head of the European Investment Bank’s department of external activity.
Ukraine urgently needed help to secure basic services now such as clean water supply, sewage, waste disposal, energy and internet access to ensure macroeconomic stability, Berndt said.
“We need investment, otherwise, the economy will collapse completely and then we’d lose the most important pillar for reconstruction.
“Of course, a water supply can be destroyed again during the war.
“But if we don’t make sure that the cities can function again and people can live there, then the costs, in the long run, are far higher than if we finance a water supply twice,’’ he added. (dpa/NAN)
– Jul. 4 2022 @ 12:48 GMT | C.E
Tags: Markus Berndt President Volodymyr Zelensky
