Ukraine: Ministry of Finance secures EUR 150-million EU grant for free school meals, reconstruction and agricultural support

The European Union has allocated EUR 150 million as a grant to Ukraine’s State Budget Special Fund. This funding marks the second tranche under the Financing Agreement between Ukraine and the EU “Support to Ukraine’s fast recovery”, which has a total allocation of EUR 300 million. Ukraine received the first tranche of EUR 150 million…

Baltic States: Customs Criminal Service uncovers illegal tobacco factory in Latvia after cigarette seizure in Lithuania

An illegal tobacco factory has been uncovered in Latvia after a large shipment of smuggled cigarettes was intercepted in Lithuania in October, the Customs Criminal Service said on December 20. On October 18, the service’s officers in Klaipeda seized nearly half a million packs of illicit cigarettes. Valued at around 3 million euros, the cigarettes…