In the framework of a working visit to Germany, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany Svenja Schulze.

Denys Shmyhal thanked the Federal Republic of Germany for the disbursement of EUR 200 million to Ukraine for programs to support internally displaced persons, which had been announced on the morning of September 4. The Head of the Ukrainian Government also suggested working out the possibility of directing part of these funds to grants for IDPs to start their own business.

"We have launched a grant program for small and medium-sized businesses - eRobota. Thousands of people applied for participation in the first weeks to create a startup. We would like to offer an opportunity to direct the resources allocated by the German Government to support small and medium-sized businesses, in particular through this program," said Denys Shmyhal.

Apart from that, the parties tackled the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. According to the Prime Minister, the first stage - immediate reconstruction of critical infrastructure — is currently underway. The second stage – reconstruction - will take place over the next year until the end of the war and for some period after it finishes.

"Aftermath we will move on to the third stage - a major recovery, in which the country will undergo modernization in line with the standards of the European Union," noted the Head of the Ukrainian Government.

Denys Shmyhal emphasized that Germany had played an important role in the implementation of the decentralization reform being one of the most successful in Ukraine.

"Most heads of communities showed themselves being true leaders at the beginning of the war, stayed with the people, and provided the necessary support. Therefore, the Government and the President are convinced that the reform must prolong and empower communities," the Prime Minister of Ukraine emphasized.

Federal Minister of Germany Svenja Schulze, for her part, noted that while visiting the de-occupied territories of Ukraine, she had been impressed by the courage of Ukrainians and how strong those communities were. According to the Federal Minister, Germany sees prospects in the restoration of Ukraine through the use of community potential. Svenja Schulze also emphasized that Germany would stand by Ukraine as long as our state needed.