The European Commission’s recommendation to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the European Parliament have become another important step towards Ukraine’s full membership in the EU. To successfully prepare and conduct negotiations, it is necessary to further strengthen the capacity of state authorities and local governments in the field of European integration.
This was discussed at the forum “Moving to the EU: an Agenda for Ukraine” on 6 December 2023.
The event was organised by the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service, the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Centre for Adaptation of the Civil Service to EU Standards, the High School of Public Governance with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine.
Topical issues were discussed during the panel discussions “A month after the publication of the European Commission Report”, “Successful cases of Twinning and TAIEX implementation as effective tools for implementing Ukraine’s European integration policy” and “Professional development of public servants on European integration”. The participants discussed the results of the analysis of the implementation of EU legislation; key documents shaping the reform agenda in Ukraine; the architecture of the negotiation process; interaction with the Verkhovna Rada, civil society and business representatives; and further steps after the official screening of Ukrainian legislation.
The participants of the discussion reviewed international assistance projects implemented to effectively implement public administration and civil service reform in the framework of European integration, in particular, through the involvement and use of EU Twinning, TAIEX and SIGMA institution-building instruments.
The need to develop and improve the competencies of public servants in various aspects of European integration and the implementation of European principles and standards in public administration in Ukraine is very high. In accordance with the Operational Plan for the Implementation of the Communication Strategy on Ukraine’s European Integration until 2026, in-service training programmes are being developed and approved.
As Yuliia Lykhach, Director of the High School, noted in her speech, in 2023, the institution implemented 19 in-service training programmes in the field of European integration, which were attended by 1450 public servants. These figures are indeed evidence of high interest.
“Therefore, we will continue to make every effort to strengthen the human resources of state and local authorities for the effective implementation of state policy in the field of European integration, including by forming a pool of teachers and trainers,” said Yuliia Lykhach.
“To ensure the continuity and flexibility of professional training in the field of European integration, the EU Delegation to Ukraine and the Natolin4Capacity Building project are currently transferring an online educational platform and 16 online courses on various aspects of the EU’s functioning.
In 2024, the High School plans to continue its cooperation with international partners, develop and implement new course and training programmes aimed at raising awareness of the EU and its policies among civil servants, and develop measures to adapt the economy and society to European integration.
