The European Union will support Ukraine's efforts to integrate into Europe.
On 5 September, the 8th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council took place in Brussels, where the bloc promised to play a leading role in the country's green post-war reconstruction. At the meeting, the EU confirmed its firm commitment to support Ukraine's recovery, which will focus on the rapid development of a green, climate-resilient and digital transition, the government portal reports. The meeting was co-chaired by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. The Association Council stressed the need to achieve Ukraine's green transition as part of its reconstruction efforts. Both sides expressed satisfaction that the process of establishing a strategic partnership between Ukraine and the EU regarding renewable technologies has been completed.
The Association Council expressed satisfaction with the measures Ukraine has already taken, including reforms in the fight against corruption and fraud, money laundering, and the rule of law, and called on Ukraine to continue its efforts in these areas. Ultimately, support for reconstruction will be linked to the implementation of reforms to ensure the rule of law, stable democratic institutions, the reduction of the influence of oligarchs, the strengthening of anti-corruption measures in line with Ukraine's European path, and the further process of aligning legislation with EU law.
The Association Council also welcomed the successful synchronization of Ukraine's energy system with the continental European power grid. The parties noted that commercial electricity exchange between Ukraine and the EU has begun and also welcomed the start of a gradual increase in electricity trade on equal terms with compatible environmental protection and safety standards. The meeting participants stressed the need to reduce dependence on Russian minerals, nuclear fuel and technologies.
Ukraine and the European Union agreed to continue close cooperation to coordinate the security of gas supplies and increase resilience in the event of potential supply disruptions. 'The Association Council condemned Russia's military control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and called for the immediate demilitarization of this facility, as well as the transfer of full control of the plant to its legitimate operator and the Ukrainian authorities to ensure nuclear safety,' the article states. The Association Council also emphasized its support for the efforts of the IAEA and stressed that the ZNPP must remain an integral part of Ukraine's energy system. Furthermore, the Association Council welcomed the signing of an agreement for Ukraine's accession to the LIFE programme to address climate change and environmental issues, in particular air, soil and water pollution, and the conservation of biodiversity through modern solutions.
The EU also noted that Ukraine has been reinstated as a lead country for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. The article indicates that the European Union invited Ukraine to participate in the Erasmus+ programme and make full use of its international dimension. The Association Council expressed satisfaction with the entry into force of the Association Agreement with Ukraine, which includes the 'Creative Europe' programme and the 'Horizon Europe' and EURATOM research and training programmes. The Association Council will decide on future steps towards Ukraine's accession to the European Union once all the conditions mentioned in the Commission's conclusions on Ukraine's application for EU membership have been fully met, emphasizing that Ukraine's progress towards the European Union will depend on Ukraine's own merits. The European Union will also support Ukraine's efforts to integrate into Europe. Previously, EcoPolitic wrote that the head of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ruslan Strilets, said that despite the war, one of the Environment Ministry's priorities is aligning the country's environmental legislation with EU requirements. As EcoPolitic has already reported, the Eco-Committee approved 78 proposals for the draft agenda of the 8th session of the Verkhovna Rada of the ninth convocation.