KYIV, Nov 13 – Ukraine and the European Union will jointly develop critical raw materials, like those used in production of electrical vehicle batteries, to boost each other’s competitiveness globally, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Friday.

Shmyhal spoke with European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic via an online link to discuss strategic partnership on the issue.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development may provide EUR 200 million loan to Ukraine to get ready in 2021 to auction licenses for developing those deposits that are on the list of EU’s strategic raw materials.