EIPA recently held meetings with the European Union missions of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to discuss capacity-building in candidate countries and Neighbourhood countries. EIPA is looking into extending its activity to support countries under the EU neighbourhood policy to strengthen the capacity of public administrations of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, alongside EIPA’s existing projects aimed at Western Balkans and Turkey.
On 5 April 2023, EIPA met with Ambassador Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the EU Mission Ukraine, and Ms Zoryana Makarukha, Counsellor, with the purpose of discussing support to Ukrainian Public Administration to meet the challenges of EU accession. Marco Ongaro, Director General of EIPA, elaborated on EIPA’s mission and current activities aimed at countries under the EU neighbourhood policy. During the meeting, a pilot project for trainers in CFSP and CSDP areas was proposed as a first initiative.
EIPA’s board members specifically requested that the needs of the Ukrainian civil service should be addressed. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg, which annually concludes a convention with EIPA Luxembourg to foster capacity-building in EU neighbouring countries, was mentioned as a potential partner.
The Ukrainian partner expressed great interest in solid cooperation with EIPA and suggested continuing discussions with the Ukrainian Diplomatic Academy. Training will go beyond the personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and be extended to the Ministry of Defence and national security-related governmental entities.
On 19 April, EIPA met with Ambassador Daniela Morari of the EU Mission of Moldova and the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Bidzina Javakhishvili of the EU Mission of Georgia. The meetings aimed to discuss the potential projects that train public administration officials and civil servants from both countries covered by the European neighbourhood policy. EIPA will carry out fact-finding and needs assessment mapping to explore the feasibility of this project.
EIPA’s meetings with the EU Missions of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia demonstrate the Institute’s commitment to supporting the capacity-building efforts of candidate countries in the EU accession process. EIPA’s actions are carried out in line with the European Council’s decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in June 2022 and reconfirm a readiness to grant candidate status to Georgia.
Learn more about EIPA’s capacity-building activities in the EU Neighbouring countries here.
