CPLR experts joined two-day EU accession training – Rule of Law focus, for civil servants of Ukraine

On July 17-18, a training for Ukrainian civil servants on EU accession with a focus on the rule of law was held. 30 representatives of various ministries, government agencies and state institutions gained the necessary knowledge and skills to start Ukraine’s negotiation process.

Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine Jennes de Mol greeted the participants of the event. The Dutch diplomat, who is completing his diplomatic mission in Ukraine, noted the commitment of Ukrainian specialists to the path of European integration and their readiness to move quickly and dynamically in the negotiation process. 

On July 17, a panel discussion was arranged with the participation of a group of Balkan experts on the rule of law.

“It is impossible to overestimate the opportunity for Ukraine to study the experience of the Western Balkan countries now, as these countries have been integrating into the European Union using a revised methodology that includes a cluster approach. Therefore, we are extremely grateful to all our partners who fully support Ukraine on its way to the EU,” said Viktoriia Melnyk, Head of International Relations and European Integration at the Centre of Policy and Legal Reform, during the discussion panel. 

A two-day training program intended to strengthen the skills of Ukrainian civil servants involved in the negotiation process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Thus, the participants formed 4 working groups that collaborated on key framework aspects of the Roadmap. Experts of the Centre of Policy and Legal Reform, Viktoriia Melnyk and Roman Smaliuk, together with their Dutch colleagues, moderated the group discussions. The group work was aimed at developing a strategic vision of the reform outcome with the specification of the flagship initiatives, goals and deadlines. In order to develop a general navigation framework, the training participants also dealt with important practical issues, such as how to ensure effective internal coordination between stakeholders, ministries, and the negotiation team, or what is needed to implement the reform (e.g., changes in legislation, adoption of a new law, introduction of a new implementation plan/agenda).

As a recap, following the introduction of the revised methodology for accession negotiations in February 2020, the negotiating chapters are now divided into six thematic blocks, the so-called clusters. The “Fundamentals” cluster starts the negotiation process, which, among other aspects, includes “Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights and Freedoms” and “Justice, Freedom, Security” and corresponds to Chapters 23 and 24. Negotiating progress within this cluster will determine the overall pace of the negotiations. 

The event is organized by the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The program is organized in cooperation with the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

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