European Parlt approves economic support for Ukraine, Moldova

TALLINN - Members of the European Parliament in a plenary session vote in Strasbourg supported topping up macro-financial aid for Moldova by up to 145 million euros to help the country cover part of its funding needs in 2023 and suspending EU import duties on Ukrainian exports of agricultural products for another year to support the country’s economy.

"As long as Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues, the EU must help Ukraine in every way," Estonian MEP and deputy chairman of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee Urmas Paet said.

"By extending the temporary liberalization of trade with Ukraine, we are helping the Ukrainian economy in this difficult time," he added.

The European Parliament also voted to top up macro-financial aid for Moldova by up to 145 million euros. 

"Russia's aggression against Ukraine has also brought great damage to Moldova," Paet said.

"Considering that Moldova's economic prospects remain poor, we have to contribute to helping Moldova," he added.

MEPs approved on Tuesday, by 537 votes, with 42 against and 38 abstentions, a proposal to renew the suspension of import duties, anti-dumping duties and safeguards on Ukrainian exports to the European Union for another year, against the background of Russia’s war of aggression that is hampering Ukraine’s ability to trade with the rest of the world.

MEPs endorsed the European Commission’s proposal to give the Moldovan government support to stabilize the country’s economic situation, by 561 votes to 43, with 20 abstentions.