Latvia needs legislative amendments to allocate EUR 5 million for Ukraine's reconstruction - Rinkevics

RIGA - Latvia's law on assistance to Ukrainian civilians needs to be amended to enable the planned allocation of EUR 5 million for Ukraine's reconstruction, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) told members of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. 

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy are in the process of drafting a report to the Cabinet of Ministers on the issue. Latvia plans to allocate the financing for the reconstruction of Ukraine's Chernihiv region. 

Latvia has prioritized the rebuilding of the region's social infrastructure including schools, kindergartens, outpatient clinics, as well as assistance to the modernization of energy infrastructure and purchases of power generators. 

Rinkevics indicated that without amendments to the law on assistance to Ukrainian civilians, Latvia will not be able to provide meaningful support to Ukraine. 

The minister warned of a high risk of "getting entangled in procedures" as the existing system has been created for planning several years ahead and not providing effective assistance in a short period of time. The ministries will also call on the government to decide how to support Ukraine in a transparent way, without "unnecessary red tape".