Policy of the European Union in relation to Ukraine

Abstract

The aim of the work is comprehensive analysis of the state of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the European Union at the stage after the opening of the accession negotiation process.

The methodological basis of the study official websites of specialized institutions in Ukraine and the European Union, laws, analytical reports, articles by other scientists, etc.

Results. In April 2024, the European Commission issued a Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the assessment of the Ukraine Plan. This Plan, in addition to the provisions on the reconstruction of Ukraine and financial support, also contains other important provisions. Yet, the document contains a reform plan that must be implemented by Ukraine. In general, the Ukraine Plan proposes 69 reforms and 10 investments accounting for 146 qualitative and quantitative steps. These reforms are based on 15 key sectors, which also cover sectors of the EU acquis. Sectors in which it is necessary to attract investments are additionally selected. An important feature of this Plan is also the fact that the number of steps necessary for the implementation of these reforms is determined.

An important feature of each of these reforms is that it takes into account the EU acquis. For example, the goal of the Public Administration reform cluster is strengthening the capacity and efficiency of the Ukrainian administration and the gradual alignment of the rules, standards, policies, and practices with the EU acquis. Accordingly, the introduction of certain reforms has a positive effect on Ukraine’s implementation of the EU acquis in domestic legislation. It was found that out of 33 clusters of the EU acquis, the implementation of reforms will have broad alignment with recommendations in the 2023 Enlargement Report for 14 clusters. Another 11 clusters will be partially approximated.

Conclusions. As a result of the study, it was found that the European Union actively helps Ukraine in its European integration aspiration. Thus, in April 2024, the Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the assessment of the Ukraine Plan was presented. In addition to the provisions on the reconstruction of Ukraine, this report contains a reform plan that must be implemented by Ukraine in order to bring domestic legislation as close as possible to the EU acquis.