The EU expects that Ukraine will lift the ban on the export of timber and settle the social assistance to internally displaced persons.

On these two conditions the country will receive the next tranche of the macro-financial assistance of 600 million euros, said the head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Ambassador Hugues Mingarelli.

‘We have already provided Ukraine with the first tranche of 600 million euros and expect the second tranche, also of 600 million euros,’ said Mingarelli at his first press conference in Kiev.

To receive it, according to him, Ukraine must meet two conditions: lift the ban on the export of timber and resolve the issue concerning the welfare of internally displaced persons.

According to Mingarelli, currently the EU leadership is discussing these issues with the Ukrainian authorities.

‘We all hope that it will be possible to provide this tranche to Ukraine in the near future. I can not yet give specific dates,’ he said.