Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna pays working visit to Odesa region

On April 2-3, 2022, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna paid a working visit to Odesa region.

The Deputy Prime Minister discussed the situation in the region with the head of the regional military administration Maksym Marchenko, the commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksii Neizhpapa, the commander of the Southern Department of the SBGS Major General Serhii Mul and the leadership of the seaports of the region. Olha Stefanishyna also got acquainted with the work of the Humanitarian Headquarters and the humanitarian aid packaging hub.

The security situation in the region is under control. The local authorities, together with

the military, are taking all necessary measures to protect the region and ensure its functioning.

Discussing the economic situation, the regional leadership noted the lack of acute problems with food supply, the main focus now is the resumption of economic activity. Production processing was gradually restarted, but not at full capacity, in particular due to broken supply and logistics chains. Small and medium businesses in Odesa operate. According to officials, the region is ready for spring field work, and the area under sowing has even been increased.

At the Humanitarian Headquarters, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed with its staff the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid. The largest amount of aid comes from hubs in Romania, where goods are also transported from other EU countries, including France, Spain and Germany. Currently, logistics issues have been resolved, the process of cargo formation is being systematized, and measures have been taken to increase accountability and efficiency in the distribution of aid. An important area of work of the Headquarters is the shipment of humanitarian goods (food and other necessary things) to the neighboring Mykolayiv region.

The largest sea trade ports were forced to suspend their operations due to the blocking of the west and exit to the Black Sea. During the meeting with the leadership of the sea trade ports of Odesa region Olha Stefanishyna discussed the steps needed to reorient foreign economic activity to existing ports and land corridors, including more active use of the opportunities of the Danube shipping.

"Despite the martial law, the development of Ukraine's inland waterways and river navigation is in full swing. Work is underway to obtain by Ukraine of an EU candidate status, which will give us access to EU structural funds. Social and financial stability, energy and logistical security will be the main areas of funding," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

In this context, the need to develop systematic proposals for waterway development was emphasized. "Special attention will be paid to the support of river navigation in the dialogue with the European Commission," said Olha Stefanishyna.

She also thanked the management of commercial ports for their proactive stance and support of the state's efforts to overcome the consequences of russia's war, even in areas that are not directly related to the work of ports.

"Today, in such times of trials, our unity is extremely important. In Odesa region, I can see this unification and mobilization to solve the problems facing the region and the country as a whole," said Olha Stefanishyna.

Regarding the accommodation of internally displaced persons, the regional administration informed that an audit had been conducted in all districts and places for sheltering of citizens from other regions, primarily Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, had been identified. So far, about 40,000 people have moved to Izmail and Bulgaria districts.

The number of people who left Odesa and the region is about 200,000 people. Most left in the first weeks of the war, and the situation is now stabilizing. According to the State Border Guard Service, today there are no queues on both sides of the border, checkpoints are working in an intensified mode in accordance with the wartime schedule. All checkpoints and control points across the state border with Moldova in the area of the so-called Transnistria are closed.