EC SUPPORT GROUP FOR UKRAINE

In order to meet the particularly acute challenge presented by the situation as it was then developing, in mid-2014 the Commission established the Support Group for Ukraine. The Support Group concentrates and coordinates the resources and expertise of the European Commission in order not just to monitor but also to assist Ukraine in the implementation of the Association Agreement and, crucially, in undertaking the deep and systemic reforms that will be necessary if the country is to draw maximum benefit from a closer relationship with the European Union. This is the first time such a Support Group has been established for any country outside the borders of the EU.

This Support Group for Ukraine provides a focal point, structure, overview and guidance for the Commission's work to support Ukraine. It also helps mobilise Member States' expertise and further enhance coordination with other donors and the International Financing Institutions.

The Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy coordinates the Support Group, which reports to the EC President and High Representative/Vice- President and draws on the contributions of all relevant Commission portfolios.

In the immediate short-term, the Support Group will identify and coordinate with the Ukrainian authorities, benefitting from input from the Member States, the technical assistance that they need to 1) stabilise the fragile financial, economic and political situation in Ukraine; 2) plan and implement reforms to boost growth and 3) identify reform priorities and advance the reforms necessary to ensure that immediate benefits can be obtained from the EU offer (Association Agreement and Visa Liberalisation Action Plan).

In the medium term (from 2015), the goal of the Support Group will be to further support Ukraine in the elaboration and implementation of comprehensive reform programmes.

The work of the Support Group is based on the "European agenda for reform", a document prepared with the Ukrainian authorities to match the EU's short- and mid-term support actions with Ukraine needs.

The Support Group is based in Brussels, with its staff travelling to Ukraine as necessary. Ukraine has set up a central co-ordination structure able to oversee the implementation of the broad reform programme as well as the Association Agreement and to co-ordinate the work on the creation of the necessary national bodies/structures.

In addition, a platform for donor co-ordination has been established to act as the vehicle for mobilisation of resources and expertise from the broader international environment to support implementation of these reform priorities.

The Support Group  is headed by Mr Peter Balas, currently Deputy Director General in the Trade Directorate-General. The Support Group is administratively attached to the Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation, and consists of:

• A Head of Support Group
• Up to 30 full-time officials (Recruiting in process)
• Seconded National Experts
• Temporary agents
• Contract agents
• Special Advisers

The Head of the Support Group reports to the President and the High Representative/Vice President under the guidance of the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.