Three countries launch program to support Ukraine’s EU accession

The European Union, in partnership with Lithuania, Denmark, and Sweden, has officially launched the Ukraine2EU Program – a new initiative aimed at supporting Ukraine in its EU accession journey that started in June 2023. 

It is designed to assist Ukraine in meeting  necessary requirements for full membership in the 27-member state economic and political union. 

This key EU program spans three years, with a budget of 16.7 million euros, as announced by the EU Delegation to Ukraine.  

“Preparing for EU accession demands a commitment to comprehensive reforms and the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with that of the European Union. Ukraine must address pressing challenges,” the statement says.  

The program was officially launched on April 1. The three countries will provide Ukraine with strategic and expert support, particularly to government bodies tasked with driving these reforms.  

This includes the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Ukraine, the Government Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Ukrainian NGOs supporting these efforts.  

“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 EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

Ukraine is making “bold reforms and has proven its determination to make progress towards EU membership” despite Russia’s brutal aggression, Kos said.  

“Team Europe stands in full solidarity with this courageous and transformative journey,” she said.  

The program will leverage the experience of EU member states to guide Ukraine through all stages of the EU accession process.  

“Through the Ukraine2EU Programme, we are strengthening Ukraine’s institutional capacity and ensuring steady progress toward European integration,” said Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the EU to Ukraine.

This program will enable Ukraine to achieve its strategic goal of becoming a full EU member in the shortest possible time, according to Olga Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration – Minister of Justice of Ukraine.