Commission appoints members to the Ukraine Facility Audit Board

The European Commission has appointed three experienced members to the Ukraine Facility Audit Board: Professor Marek Belka (chair), a former President of the National Bank of Poland; Gijs De Vries (deputy chair), a seasoned expert in audit and control; and Gunnar Wälzholz (member), a specialist in financial management. With these appointments, the Board is already formed and is functioning at its full capacity.

The Audit Board was established in June 2024 under the Ukraine Facility, and will be in place until June 30, 2028. Its primary task is to ensure the transparent and effective use of up to €50 billion in EU financial assistance to Ukraine between 2024-2027. In the coming weeks, the Board will start evaluating Ukraine's management and control of funds, providing concrete recommendations how to strengthen financial oversight and governance structures.

The Board will meet regularly in Brussels and conduct frequent missions to Ukraine, supported by a secretariat based in Kyiv. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, the Audit Board will contribute to building institutional trust and accountability, crucial for Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation efforts.

With the Audit Board in place, the Commission will continue to work closely with Ukrainian authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the Ukraine Facility. The Board's work will be instrumental in helping Ukraine to achieve its development goals and strengthen its partnership with the EU.

The Audit Board will begin its work immediately, with a focus on assessing Ukraine's financial control systems and identifying areas for improvement. The Commission will provide regular updates on the Board's progress and recommendations.

Learn more about the Ukraine Facility and its objectives online.