Ukraine: Press remarks by High Representative upon arrival at the EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum

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Ukraine: Press remarks by High Representative upon arrival at the EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum

06.05.2024 EEAS Press Team

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Good morning.

Well, here we are, the defence industries of the European Union and the defence industries from Ukraine, gathering together.

There are more than 140 firms coming from 25 different countries, and the purpose is to match the capacities of the Ukrainian's industry with the European's industry, and to see what are the opportunities to use European funding, in order to produce more and quicker - if possible, directly in Ukraine.

It is important that the production could be done in Ukraine by Ukrainian firms, supported by EU firms. We save transportation costs, and we produce immediately right where the production is needed.

This is the third time this meeting takes place. It was first in Ukraine, second in the United States, [and] now here in Europe. And the result should be engaging and integrating the Ukrainian defence industry inside the ecosystem of the European defence capacities.

We have to produce more. We have to produce quicker. We have the funding of the European Peace Facility, and inside the European Peace Facility we have [the] Ukrainian [Assistance] Fund. So, let's see what they can do together, how they can integrate their capacities, how we can increase the capacities of the Ukrainian industry.

This is the purpose.

Q&A

Q. Taking into account that Russia is targeting the defence industry. How is it possible to protect those production sites and do you see any fears going around among European producers to go to Ukraine?

Well, that is why we called them to come, I cannot tell you before the conference takes place. But there are 140 companies coming so they see an opportunity. Certainly, Ukraine is a country at war and Russia is targeting the industrial capacities. We have to provide capacities to defend and capacities to increase production. Here we are talking about the second part: who is going to produce more in Ukraine, linking the Ukrainian defence industry with the European defence industry. More than 140 firms are here, I suppose they came because they are interested in that.

Q. What are the main challenges for you in terms of looking for funding for those projects?

The challenges are not for me. The challenges are for the industry themselves. We have industrial capacity in Europe, we have funding, we have opportunities to look for partners in Ukraine. And this is what the conference is about, and you will have to wait for the end, in order to know which are the deliveries.

The difficulties are clear. Ukraine is a country at war. It is not just producing in normal conditions. That is why the industry has to understand that, first, there is an opportunity; second, there is a risk; third, there is funding. Putting the three things together, to share technology. For example, you are very good at producing drones, maybe we have to learn from you. But we have capacities that could be implemented in Ukraine. We produce in Europe, but we should be able to produce in your territory - as I said - in order to save costs, to reduce delivery times and to be closer to your needs. That is why we called 140 firms to come and discuss.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-256905