On April 1, the conference “Ukraine’s EU Membership: Not If, but When” marked the official launch of the European Union (EU) and Member States’ flagship initiative, the “Ukraine2EU – EU Integration Support Programme for Ukraine”. This programme is designed to assist Ukraine in its preparations for EU membership by providing strategic guidance and expert support to Ukrainian authorities as they lead the reform process. The launch event also highlighted Sweden joining the initiative, alongside the EU, Denmark and Lithuania, bringing Team Europe’s total contribution to €16.7 million for this project implemented by the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPVA).
ADVANCING ON THE REFORM AGENDA WHILE FACING RUSSIA’S AGGRESSION:
Preparing for EU accession demands a commitment to comprehensive reforms and the harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with that of the European Union. Ukraine must address pressing challenges, including strengthening its resilience during the war, managing post-war recovery, and driving national modernisation.
“Despite the relentless brutality of Russia’s aggression, Ukraine is adopting bold reforms and has proven its determination to make progress towards EU membership. Team Europe stands in full solidarity with this courageous and transformative journey. The Ukraine2EU programme will help channel expertise from current EU Member States to ensure Ukraine gets the best advice on its path towards a future in the European Union” said Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Enlargement.
TAPPING INTO EU MEMBER STATES’ ACCESSION EXPERTISE:
Ukraine2EU Programme serves as a key mechanism to support Ukrainian authorities in managing the complex EU accession process and the related reform agenda. By leveraging the expertise of EU Member States, the programme supports Ukraine in navigating the essential steps toward EU membership.
Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the EU to Ukraine, underlined the importance of this support: “The EU stands firmly with Ukraine on its path to the EU membership. This process is both ambitious and transformative, requiring strategic coordination. Through the Ukraine2EU Programme, we are strengthening Ukraine’s institutional capacity and ensuring steady progress toward European integration.”
The Ukraine2EU Programme provides strategic support to key Ukrainian institutions including the Deputy Prime Minister and Government Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, the Verkohovna Rada of Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian civil society organizations supporting these efforts.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal welcomed the launch of the Ukraine2EU program - the Program to Support Ukraine's European Integration. The program demonstrates that the European Union is always by Ukraine's side on its path toward our common future, he emphasized.
“Being a part of a big European family is not just a strategic goal. It is our worldview, our commitment to common values and principles, and our sole alternative historical path. Ukraine and Europe have always stood together. And today, our task is to confirm this, to go through the integration track as quickly and successfully as possible. The Ukraine2EU instrument gives us new opportunities to do so,” the Prime Minister of Ukraine said.
Olga Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration – Minister of Justice of Ukraine, emphasized Ukraine’s strong commitment to further progress in European integration and implementation of reforms: “Ukraine has set an ambitious goal to become a member of the European Union. This is an ambitious goal that requires significant transformations and unity, as well as a strategic approach to aligning legislation with EU standards. We are the first candidate country that is dynamically moving towards membership despite the ongoing full-scale war. That is why the sustained support of our partners is of particular importance. I am confident that the launch of this Program will allow us to achieve our key strategic goal and become a fully-fledged member of the European family of countries in the shortest possible time.”
Ukraine2EU will enable the effective transfer of lessons learned, strengthen state institutions capacities, and ensure steady progress on Ukraine’s path to EU membership. This was emphasised by Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys: “Lithuania has always been a staunch supporter of Ukraine’s EU integration. We will continue assisting Ukraine on its path towards the EU, building a stronger and more resilient country. Ukraine’s EU membership is crucial for the security and stability of Europe. Our goal – Ukraine in the EU by 2030”.
Marie Bjerre, Danish Minister for European Affairs underlined that: “Ukraine’s future lies within the EU. The sooner Ukraine can join the EU, the stronger and more stable the entire European continent will be. Following the European path still requires a lot of hard work from Ukraine, but Ukraine has already come a long way under extraordinary circumstances and the Ukrainian people can count on its European friends to help with the process towards an EU membership”.
“TEAM EUROPE” IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE:
Lithuania and Denmark were the first EU member states to support the EU initiative Ukraine2EU. However, the Programme has an emphasis on its openness to cooperation with other EU member states and donor organisations aiming to support Ukraine on its path to EU membership. Sweden has now officially announced its contribution to the Programme.
“Sweden is proud to join hands once again with Lithuania and Denmark in our unwavering support for Ukraine’s EU accession. To support the people of Ukraine is an investment in our joint future, freedom, and stability. Sweden is a friend on Ukraine’s journey to EU membership, and Ukraine2EU will help to pave the way,” stated Ulrik Tildeström, Special Envoy of Sweden for Ukraine’s Reconstruction, Business Sector and Development.
BACKGROUND:
The Ukraine2EU Programme is set for a three-year period with a budget of €16.7 million and is implemented by the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPVA). It is one of the flagship initiatives of the European Union designed to assist Ukraine in successfully completing its EU accession process and preparing for EU membership.
The Ukraine2EU Programme on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/Ukraine2EUProgramme
https://x.com/ukraine_2eu
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukraine2eu/
For media inquiries:
delegation-ukraine-press@eeas.europa.eu