UA
European Integration
European Integration
European Integration
EI is the rapprochement of Ukraine with the European Union both at the level of laws and customs existing in society. Its ultimate result should be accession of Ukraine to the EU.
Main
Manual on EU acquis translation into Ukrainian
Словник перемовин про вступ до ЄС
Fundamentals of the European integration
Institutional mechanism of the European Integration
The objective of the European integration
The rapprochement of Ukraine with the European Union both at the level of laws and at the level of rules and customs existing in society. The course towards European integration is a natural consequence of Ukraine gaining independence. Its origins lie in the history of our people and awareness of the right to live in a democratic, economically developed, socially oriented country. Its goal is to create, through large-scale internal transformations, the conditions for joining the community of European developed countries.
European Union
European Commonwealth, the European Union or simply the EU – an economic and political union of 27 states located in Europe
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WHEN WILL UKRAINE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION?

The answer to the main question of the European integration of Ukraine. In 2014, the then President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, stated that the Association Agreement is the beginning of Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

The terms of accession to the European Union of each specific state are determined by an agreement between the EU member states and the candidate state. Admission consists of several general steps that a candidate country must go through. Ukraine is no exception.

Today, Ukraine is at the first stage, but its implementation is about 2/3 of all efforts. You can understand how long it will take for Ukraine to join the European Union using the example of other Central and Eastern European countries.

Poland began negotiations on joining the EU in 1990, and applied in 1994. The introduction took place in 2004. Bulgaria also applied in 1994, and became a member of the EU in 2007.

That is, the admission procedure lasts about 15 years on average. Of course, a lot will depend on the extent to which Ukrainians themselves will support the European integration course and demand clear implementation of Ukraine’s European integration plan from the authorities.

  • FIRST STEP

    01

    to implement the Association Agreement by 2024. When we do this, approximately 70% of the rights of the European Union will apply in Ukraine. Today, the Agreement is 75% completed (2023). So, in general, Ukraine is on schedule.

  • Другий крок

    02

    Відповідати умовам членства в ЄС, так званим «Копенгагенським критеріям”» А саме: забезпечити стабільність демократії в країні, верховенство права, дотримання прав людини і захист прав меншин. Слідувати принципам ринкової економіки, з великою часткою малого бізнесу, мати розвинену інфраструктуру, якісну освіту та науку. Поділяти глобальні цілі ЄС у сфері політики й економіки. ЄС визнає, що Україна відповідає зазначеним критеріям.

  • SECOND STEP

    03

    to meet the conditions of membership in the EU, the so-called "Copenhagen criteria". Namely: to ensure the stability of democracy in the country, the rule of law, respect for human rights and the protection of minority rights. Follow the principles of a market economy, with a large share of small businesses, have a developed infrastructure, quality education and science. To share the global goals of the EU in the sphere of politics and economy.

  • Четвертий крок

    04

    Виконати рекомендації Єврокомісії. Завдяки трансформаціям, здійсненим до повномасштабного вторгнення, а також стійкості та відданості українців європейському шляху, Україна змогла швидко рухатися на шляху інтеграції до ЄС, продовжувати реформи навіть під масованими ракетними обстрілами, відсутності електроенергії тощо. Безпрецедентна політична мобілізацію та єдність забезпечили ухвалення всіх узгоджених рішень у рамках 7 політичних кроків, визначених Європейською Комісією. Йдеться про комплексні реформи від перезавантаження судової системи, запровадження конкурсного відбору суддів КСУ, посилення боротьби з корупцією до реформи медіа сфери та оновлення законодавчої бази захисту прав національних спільнот.

WHAT IS THE Association
Agreement AND WHY IT SIGNING
IS A WIN?

A simple answer to the question of what advantages the association with the European Union gives Ukrainians and why we have a free trade zone with the EU.

The Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union entered into force on September 1, 2017. It opened a new page in the relations between Ukraine and the European Union – we have moved from simple cooperation to procedures that allow Ukraine to fully integrate into the EU.

The signing of the Agreement has already brought tangible benefits to Ukrainians. This is the liberalization of the visa regime with the countries of the European Union (the same visa-free) and the simplification of trade between Ukraine and the EU, which consists in the fact that Ukrainian manufacturers have opened preferential access to one of the largest markets in the world. Thanks to the Agreement on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone between Ukraine and the EU (FTA), which is part of the Association Agreement, Ukrainian entrepreneurs were able to significantly increase the volume of their trade with the EU.

Today, the European Union is our main trading partner. High-quality European goods became more accessible to Ukrainians, and our producers, in turn, got the opportunity to export their products to the EU on preferential terms.

The need to meet European standards at the same time increases the quality of Ukrainian products for the domestic market as well. Today, Ukraine is one of the leaders in the export of agricultural products to the EU. Our manufacturers will get even more benefits when the agreement on the so-called “industrial visa-free” comes into effect, and we will be able to supply our industrial products to the European Union under the same conditions that apply within the EU. The government of Ukraine is already preparing for the signing of such an agreement.

But, as we have already said, the European Union is not only about trade. In the years since the Association Agreement came into effect, comfortable administrative service centers, convenient electronic state services, better medicine, and roads repaired with the involvement of European funds have entered the lives of Ukrainians. This is happening because, within the framework of the Association Agreement, the Ukrainian authorities undertook to carry out reforms that will allow us to finally say goodbye to the remnants of the Soviet past, its bureaucracy, contempt for people, economic and technological backwardness. And they will make Ukraine a modern, developed country with a high standard of living, where freedom and dignity are valued, citizens have equal opportunities, and their rights are protected by law in reality, not on paper.

Which state authorities take care of European integration and what can each of us do to make the process faster?

The guarantor of compliance with the strategic course for European integration is the President of Ukraine. This is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine. He ensures political dialogue with our partners in the EU and signs the necessary European integration laws passed by the parliament. In fact, the “area of responsibility” of the President is the stability and continuity of the process of European integration of Ukraine.

Parliament depends on the timely adoption of European integration draft laws that correspond to the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. At the same time, they can be submitted for consideration by the President, the members of Parliament themselves, and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. There is a certain schedule according to which certain laws need to be passed in order for the Association Agreement to be implemented on time.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, ministries and other central bodies of executive power develop by-laws (for example, resolutions and orders) necessary for the implementation of European integration laws, national European integration programs and are responsible for their quality and timely implementation. The main person responsible for European integration in the government is the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

He is assisted by the Government Office for the Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, which, in particular, examines draft laws for their compliance with European integration.

At least once a year, Ukraine and the European Union summarize their work and outline plans at special meetings: Ukraine-EU summits and the Association Council between Ukraine and the EU. The summits are meetings at the highest level – of the presidents of Ukraine, the European Council and the European Commission, where strategic issues are discussed. The Association Council, in turn, is a meeting at the level of ministers and members of the governments of Ukraine and the EU to resolve practical issues of integration.

Other state authorities of Ukraine implement European integration laws, acts of the President and the government. In order for the process of European integration of Ukraine to take place faster, citizens can vote for political forces that clearly declare their support for European integration.

And besides, to actively express one’s position, demanding the adoption of the necessary laws from the parliament, and their implementation from other authorities, including local ones.

MYTHS ABOUT EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
01/
EUROPEAN INTEGRATION MEANS REFUSAL OF SOVEREIGNTY
02/
UKRAINE WILL NEVER BECOME A MEMBER OF THE EU
03/
IF UKRAINE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE EU, THEN ONLY AS A RAW MATERIAL

Usually, these myths are used by pro-Russian political forces, the purpose of which is to reduce public support for European integration and, as a result, to slow Ukraine’s movement towards the European Union. The same forces spoke about the Association Agreement with the EU and the visa-free regime in approximately the same way. Like, it will never happen, and we don’t need it.

But practice proved otherwise. After the entry into force of the Association Agreement, the European Union became the largest trade partner of Ukraine. In 2019 alone, we exported about 20 billion euros worth of goods and services there. Visa-free travel opened up the opportunity for many Ukrainians to see Europe and increased the international weight of the Ukrainian passport.

Not a single country of the European Union has lost its sovereignty and conducts its own policy, coordinated with the general course of the EU.

In 2010, in its resolution, the European Parliament noted that Ukraine is a European state that can apply for EU membership, like any other European country that adheres to the principles of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the rule of law. This possibility is defined by Article 49 of the Treaty on the European Union.

In order to meet the criteria necessary for EU membership, we need to do our “homework” – roughly the same as the other countries joining the European Union. For example, Lithuania, Poland or Croatia. In turn, the European Union helps us achieve this goal – including financially – and implement the necessary reforms.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT EI
THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT FLUCTUATES WITHIN 60-70%
01
The vast majority of Ukrainians support our country's accession to the European Union. The nationwide level of support varies between 60–70%. The numbers depend on the way the sociological survey is conducted and the questions are formulated
EXIT OF GREAT BRITAIN FROM EU
02
According to post-Brexit studies, supporters of Britain leaving the EU were mostly older people, as well as those with low incomes or unemployed. At the same time, mostly representatives of the middle class and young people voted for maintaining membership.
USE OF THE EURO
03
Some countries that are not members of the EU and the Eurozone use the euro as their currency. Such countries are, for example, Montenegro and Kosovo.
Success stories
European integration is aimed at practical things that lead to the improvement of the lives of Ukrainians.
These are new opportunities that open up for Ukrainian entrepreneurs, students, scientists, artists and others. Get inspired by success stories.
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BREXIT. WHAT HAPPENED?

The question of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union was voted on in a British referendum in 2016, and the supporters of leaving the EU won by a narrow margin. This was already the second referendum on the UK’s membership in the EU. The first one was held in 1975, two years after accession, and then 2/3 of the country voted in favor of EU membership.

In 2016, in the second EU referendum, 52% of the UK citizens voted to leave, while 48% voted to remain in the EU. 

The case of the UK is an example of how the European Union is based on democracy, and if citizens of any country believe that they will be better off living separately, they have the right to do so. Brexit has not affected the stability of the EU in any way – the European Union remains one of the world’s largest economies with high standards of living. None of the countries are seriously considering ending their participation in the EU, as leaving would mean losing privileged access to a large market and the support that comes with EU membership.

The government campaign EUCountry provides information about 6 basic European values, reveals the practical meaning of European integration and the advantages and opportunities that appear in the lives of Ukrainians thanks to the integration of our country into the EU.
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