30.05.2016

The country should participate in the financing of large-scale projects to solve problems of logistics with which Mariupol is facing today.

Jan Tombinski, the Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, expressed such a view that today he has attended the strategy session on the issues of infrastructural development "Mariupol – European City".

The first Mayor Deputy Alexander Goltvenko presented five EU projects of Mariupol strategic infrastructure. There is an opening of the airport, reconstruction of the "European Ring", major overhaul of the highway Zaporozhye-Mariupol, modernization of the railway and reconstruction of dormitories for internally displaced persons.

Up to date, 104 thousand of internally displaced persons are officially registered in Mariupol. 38,000 are permanent residents among them and 3,000 people that need housing. City needs 2.7 million euros for the reconstruction of three dormitories. More than 25 million euros is necessary for the project implementation "European Ring" for repairing of tram tracks, upgrading of tram parks and bus pavilions. Almost 11 million euros is needed to repair the highway Mariupol-Zaporozhye, and almost 200 million euros is needed to solve the problem of rail transportation, the flow of which fell by 4 times from the beginning of the conflict in the Donbass region.

"We have a clear understanding on the implementation of each project but we have only one problem – the lack of funding. The city is ready to invest in projects 20-25% of the budget, in addition to attract investments of small and large businesses and to negotiate with additional donors", - Alexander Goltvenko said.

He also noted that Mariupol has potential, power and capabilities to develop manufacturers with minimal investment, to create new jobs but it is necessary to normalize the traffic and to open the airport, which will help to attract additional investors.

"Mariupol City Council has developed very important projects. It is pleasant to note that consciousness is changing today. Instead of anti-crisis measures we are talking about development. This is a good sign. we cannot speak about the future without it, "- the EU Ambassador to Ukraine emphasized.

Jan Tombinski also welcomed the report of the urban municipality for implementation of technical assistance of the EU "Increasing of Mariupol hromada potential in support of internally displaced persons and local residents affected by the conflict."