Support Group for Ukraine
The Support Group for Ukraine (SGUA) was established by decision of the President of the European Commission in April 2014. SGUA was created as a Task Force to support Ukraine in the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU (including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area).
SGUA ensures that support provided by the European Commission – advice, expertise and financial cooperation drawn from across the services of the Commission – is focused and concentrated. SGUA also helps to mobilise EU Member States' expertise and enhance strategic upstream coordination with other donors and the International Financing Institutions.
In April 2020, Katarína Mathernová, Deputy Director General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) was appointed as the Acting Head of SGUA. The Acting Head of SGUA reports to the President of the European Commission and to the High Representative/Vice-President under the guidance of the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement.
SGUA is made up of a number of thematic teams corresponding to the essential reform priorities set out in the Association Agreement. These teams cover areas such as governance and rule of law, justice and home affairs, economic governance, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health, education, and communications.
It works closely with the European External Action Service, with the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine and with the European Union Advisory Mission.
STRUCTURE
The Support Group is comprised of seven sector teams, as follows:
Agriculture and Sanitary/Phytosanitary Matters
Team Leader: Markus KLINGLER
Economic and Fiscal Reforms
Team Leader: Julda KIELYTE
Financial Cooperation
Team Leader: Pier Luca LEPRI
Energy and Environment
Team Leader: Marcus LIPPOLD
Justice and Home Affairs, including anti-corruption
Team Leader: Frank PAUL
Policy Coordination
Team Leader: Maria MASOWSKA-HERNANDEZ
Science, Education and Social Matters
Team Leader: Kirsi LINDROOS