Barroso proposes €11bn EU support to Ukraine

The European Commission announced Wednesday a package of measures to assist economically and financially Ukraine to stabilize the situation in the crisis-ridden country.Presenting the proposals at a press conference, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the package is designed "to assist a committed, inclusive and reforms oriented Government in rebuilding a stable and prosperous future for Ukraine." "What we propose could bring overall support of at least 11 billion euro (USD 15 bn) over the next couple of years from the EU budget and EU-based international financial institutions," said the head of the EU's executive body. "The most immediate priority for the EU is to contribute to a peaceful solution to the current crisis, in full respect of international law", said Barroso and called on the international community also to mobilise to help Ukraine stabilise its economic and financial situation.Barroso noted that he will discuss his proposal with EU leaders who will hold an extraordinary summit on Ukraine in Brussels tomorrow, Thursday."Our message has always been, and remains, that it is for the Ukrainian people to decide on their own future. This means their freedom and security must be guaranteed, and that the territorial integrity has to be respected," he said."The situation in Crimea needs to be handled through political dialogue in the framework of the Ukrainian constitution and respecting the rights of all Ukrainian citizens and communities. In this respect, I welcome the direct dialogue established between Moscow and Kiev, and I expect no one will oppose a deployment of international observers to Crimea," he added.