The First Regional Forum on restoration after russian aggression took place in Zhytomyr region

The First Regional Forum dedicated to the recovery of the territories affected by Russian aggression took place in Zhytomyr Oblast on September 28.

The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine organized the event with the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Ukraine and the coalition of NGOs Rise Ukraine.

Among the participants were friends from Estonia, in particular, the Minister of Economy and Infrastructure of Estonia Riina Sikkut and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to Ukraine Kaimo Kuusk, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia (2021-2022) Eva-Maria Liimets, as well as participants online – Speaker of the Estonian Riigikogu Parliament Juri Ratas and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Urmas Reinsalu. Representatives of the embassies of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Lithuania, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, and Cyprus also participated in the Forum.

"Although a full-scale war is ongoing, the reconstruction of Ukraine has already begun. It will be a long and difficult process, as the enemy destroyed and damaged many residential buildings and infrastructure facilities. There are about 2,800 of them in the Zhytomyr region! But the whole world united to help Ukraine. In the same way, Estonia took over the leadership of the Zhytomyr region in the reconstruction of the territories affected by russian aggression," Arseniy Pushkarenko, head of the group of inter-parliamentary relations with the Republic of Estonia, head of the Zhytomyr regional organization of the Servant of the People party, said.

As part of the Forum, a tripartite Memorandum was signed between Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration, Ovruch City Council and the Estonian Center for International Cooperation, which begins the construction of a new kindergarten in Ovruch.

Estonia took the Zhytomyr region under its patronage and marked the first 15 infrastructure objects that need restoration. Estonian partners are financing two regional projects – a kindergarten in Ovruch and a bridge in Malyn.

"I am sincerely grateful to our allies! First of all, Estonia has taken over the Zhytomyr region reconstruction and, by its example, seeks to involve other states in rebuilding damaged and destroyed objects. Thanks to our international partners and friends, we are starting the great recovery of Ukraine!" – stressed Arseniy Pushkarenko.

The People's Deputy noted that the Ukrainian side not only asks for help but actively cooperates with international partners.

"Ukrainian politicians and businesses are working to ensure the country's economy does not stop. I know that Estonian companies are interested in investing in the Zhytomyr region enterprises. In addition, we have an open project in the field of woodworking, where investments of 20 million euros are expected," said Arseniy Pushkarenko.

The deputy reminded that the parliamentarians expect the President to submit the draft law on the Fund for the Restoration of Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada. It was prepared in close cooperation with many countries' embassies, which should provide a robust push for reconstruction.

Arseniy Pushkarenko also urged the representatives of foreign countries present at the Forum to cooperate with other regions of Ukraine and to study the possibilities of their restoration and investment in reconstruction.

"The First Recovery Forum: Zhytomyr Region" took place on the territory of the granite quarry in the Luhyn community of the Korosten district.

As a result of the russian aggression in the Zhytomyr region, more than 2,800 objects were destroyed, and 12 thousand residents of the Zhytomyr region lost their homes. Damage to the region's infrastructure is estimated at 3 billion hryvnias.