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European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
News article31 March 2022Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations

Ukraine: Commission to open negotiations for Ukraine's participation in LIFE programme for climate and environment

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The Commission is starting today negotiations with Ukraine to offer the country the possibility to join the LIFE programme for climate and environment. The LIFE programme aims notably to contribute to the shift towards a sustainable economy, to protect the environment, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. By joining the LIFE programme, Ukraine will be able to benefit from financing to help restore its environment after the destruction brought about by the Russian invasion, be it pollution, destruction of ecosystems, or other long-term effects. The decision was conveyed today by Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, to his Ukrainian counterpart, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Ruslan Strilets. Commissioner Sinkevičius said: “The Commission has completed all the prerequisites to start negotiations on joining LIFE programme, thus there are no reasons to delay the process. The Russian aggression on Ukraine and its impact on climate and environment made this partnership even more important and we are ready to support Ukraine in joining the LIFE Programme.” The LIFE programme is the EU's funding instrument for the environment and climate action running since 1992. It has co-financed more than 5,500 projects across the EU and beyond and has a funding of €5.4 billion.

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