EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, announced the launch of the European Phoenix Initiative during a joint briefing with Ruslan Strilets, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

"The EU will earmark EUR 7 million for the green development of Ukrainian cities. What Ukraine will look like depends on the planning. That is why it will be a cooperation between European and Ukrainian architects who will design green buildings, energy-efficient modern schools, and kindergartens," the European Commissioner said.

According to him, the funds will be allocated in April of this year from two sources: the Horizon Europe Cities Mission program and the LIFE program. The process should be finalized by December.

The Phoenix plan will focus on planning assistance during reconstruction; support in developing climate-neutral strategies; knowledge exchange in smart green city management; and sharing best practices in sustainable development and climate neutrality.

"We have a rather difficult and long way ahead of us on the path of post-war recovery based on the European Green Deal. And financial support under the Phoenix initiative is essential for rebuilding smart green cities in Ukraine. This initiative is an opportunity not only to understand what is needed to rebuild Ukraine, but also to unify approaches. First of all, in terms of minimizing the environmental impact during the reconstruction of our cities", said Ruslan Strilets.

The briefing's participants also announced the start of bilateral consultations between the European Commission and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine to accelerate the adaptation of Ukrainian environmental legislation to European law. This is the first time in Ukraine's practice that such a multidimensional EU-Ukraine dialogue will be launched at the technical and expert levels, particularly in the environmental sphere.

"It is valuable for us that the Ministry will have the opportunity to cooperate with the relevant European Commission Directorate. In the first short-term stage, we will jointly verify a certain roadmap for the necessary actions to continue the European integration course in the field of environmental protection. In 2022, Ukraine adopted 7 important European integration environmental bills. However, it is not only about adopting laws, but also about implementing their provisions in practice. And the Ministry has a clear understanding of how and where to move. It is important that we are ot alone to pave this way, but in synergy with European experts and specialists," said Ruslan Strilets.