This month, the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), with support from the Luxembourg Government, hosted the training “Ukraine and the EU: The Association and Accession Processes” at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv.
This two-day, part of EIPA’s activities under the 2024 Assistance Convention, facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (LUX MFEA), was specifically designed to assist Ukrainian civil servants in navigating the complex legal and administrative reforms required for EU candidate countries.
Context and Objectives
Following the EU’s historic decision to grant Ukraine candidate status in June 2022, Ukraine is now required not only to implement its Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) but also to fully adopt the EU’s comprehensive Acquis— a body of over 170,000 binding rules and regulations. The training aimed to equip Ukrainian officials with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance on this path.
Participants gained insight into the political, legal, and economic dimensions of the EU accession process, with a particular focus on the unique challenges faced by Ukraine. Led by EIPA experts Juan Diego Ramírez-Cárdenas Díaz and Wolfgang Koeth, the programme offered a blend of theoretical and practical learning, ensuring that participants left with actionable strategies to apply in their roles.
Impact and Outcome
This course is a strategic component of EIPA’s mission to provide targeted training that supports Ukraine’s public administration in meeting EU accession requirements. By equipping Ukrainian officials with a better understanding of EU legal, policy, and negotiation frameworks, the training strengthens their capacity to drive Ukraine’s integration with the EU.
The initiative underscores our commitment to fostering resilience and expertise within Ukraine’s public administration, helping the country progress towards EU membership and integration.
