Many thanks to Minister Lisovyi and to the Ukrainian delegation for today's very productive High-Level Dialogue on Education.
This first EU-Ukraine Dialogue on Education comes at a decisive moment.
Education is a core pillar of Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction and EU integration.
Russia's war of aggression has tried to disrupt Ukraine's schools, universities and training centres.
But it has not broken Ukraine's determination to learn, reform and move closer to Europe.
Since 2022, the EU has made more than 1 billion Euros available for education in support of Ukraine until 2027. One fifth of this comes through Erasmus+.
Today, we focused on three big priorities. First, children and youth.
The EU has welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.
Around 730,000 Ukrainian children are enrolled in EU education systems.
Our responsibility is clear: they must have access to quality education today, while keeping open the path for their reintegration into Ukraine tomorrow.
No Ukrainian child should lose their future because of this war.
Second, recovery and skills.
Ukraine's reconstruction will need strong schools, modern vocational education, resilient universities and people with the right skills.
This is why the EU is supporting both emergency needs and long-term reform, including around 650 million Euros for education reforms and investments under the Ukraine Plan until 2027.
Reconstruction will not happen without skills.
We are also preparing new support for vocational education and training, including 10 million Euros for a Team Europe Initiative focused on skills for reconstruction, veterans and displaced people.
Third, Ukraine's place in the European education family.
Erasmus+ is already a strong bridge between Ukraine and the EU.
Since 2022, Erasmus+ has mobilised over 210 million Euros, supported close to 52,000 Ukrainian participants in learning mobility, and helped deliver 1.5 million textbooks for Ukrainian children.
We welcome Ukraine's progress towards setting up a National Agency, and we are ready to support Ukraine's preparation for future association to Erasmus+.
Today, we agreed to continue this work and to hold a second EU-Ukraine High-Level Dialogue on Education and Skills in 2027.
Europe will continue to stand with Ukraine — with its children, its teachers, its students, and its future.
