United to win: Spanish agency AECID considers joining humanitarian demining efforts in Ukraine

The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) is exploring the option of joining humanitarian demining initiatives in Ukraine, as well as providing co-financing.

The Ministry of Economy reported that its representatives and the AECID delegation discussed this during a meeting.

"Today, a diverse international coalition has been established in Ukraine's mine action sector, involving countries, international organizations, donors, and manufacturers in addressing various issues. We are continually expanding our cooperation with partners and have proposals for various avenues of work in this field. We have projects focusing on data innovations that partners can become involved in. We are also promoting stronger cooperation with Ukrainian manufacturers and mine clearance operators to help speed up the demining of Ukrainian lands," the Deputy Minister of Economy, Ihor Bezkaravainy, emphasized.

^{Meeting of representatives of the Ministry of Economy with the AECID delegation. Photo: me.gov.ua}

He also mentioned that the Ukrainian government is actively developing a demining market. A compensation program has been initiated for farmers who employed demining services for their land, and the state has received 90 applications for assistance from these farmers.

The Deputy Minister of Economy, Volodymyr Kuzyo, pointed out that Ukraine is eager to attract investments and enhance cooperation with Spanish businesses. 

There is a mutual interest from the Spanish side in operating in Ukraine as well. In fact, just a month ago, a Ukrainian-Spanish business forum took place, with over two dozen prominent Spanish companies represented.

"We have prepared the Investment Guide, which includes an overview of the investment landscape of Ukraine, an analysis of priority sectors – energy, infrastructure, agricultural sector, green metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, critical materials and IT. In addition, the guide offers investors 95 investment projects worth $27 billion. The guide will help investors navigate the opportunities offered by Ukraine," Kuzyo said.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the possibilities of involving Spanish agencies in financing projects in Ukraine and supporting SMEs [small and medium enterprises – ed.], independently and in partnership with international financial organizations.

AECID representatives noted that they are ready to co-finance projects in the field of:

• engineering,
• energy,
• transport,
• supply of equipment, etc.

For reference:

In Ukraine, AECID implemented and is implementing a number of projects. In particular, Spain through AECID has launched an unprecedented humanitarian package totaling more than €55 million in 2022-2023.

AECID supported the Ukrainian maternal and child hospital system by purchasing 30 mobile incubators for premature babies.

It should be noted that in September, Spain will hand over another battery of the Hawk anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine.

It was also reported that on July 15, Spain started transferring a new batch of military aid to Ukraine. In particular, it includes ten Leopard 2A4 battle tanks, several backhoe loaders and a large number of anti-tank missiles.