Poroshenko enacts NSDC decision to increase defense budget to 5% of GDP

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of April 25 regarding proposals for the budget declaration for 2020-2022 to finance the security and defense sector and increase salaries for the military of the State Border Guard Service, the Security Service of Ukraine and the State Guard Department.

A decree to that effect, No. 167/2019, has been published on the website of the head of state.

"To enact the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated April 25, 2019, on proposals for the budget declaration for 2020-2022 under articles related to ensuring the national security and defense of Ukraine," the document reads.

In accordance with the NSDC decision attached to the decree, the Finance Ministry was instructed to envisage in the budget declaration for 2020-2022 the expenditures for ensuring national security and defense in the amount of not less than 5% of the planned gross domestic product (GDP) for the security and defense sector of Ukraine, taking into account the projected inflation index for the relevant year.

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers should take measures in the period from 2020 to 2022 to ensure proper financing of the security and defense sector of Ukraine in accordance with the areas set out in the NSDC decision, in particular, regarding the development of the security and defense sector, in line with the principles and standards of NATO and the EU; to improve the planning and management of resources in the field of security and defense; to develop weapons, military and special equipment, etc.

The government should also prepare and submit to the Verkhovna Rada a bill with amendments to the law on Ukraine's state budget for 2019 aimed at raising salaries for servicemen of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine and the State Guard Department.

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