Olga Stefanishyna and UNICEF Representative to Ukraine Munir Mammadzade synchronize priority steps of cooperation in the framework of Ukraine’s accession to the EU

During a meeting in Kyiv on 8 August, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna and UNICEF Representative to Ukraine Munir Mammadzade synchronised priority steps of cooperation in the context of Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

The meeting was also attended by First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Yevhen Kudriavets.

The priority issues included the state’s future plans in the context of the negotiation process, prospects and potential areas for implementing joint flagship initiatives in the process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU, including the importance of implementing projects and programmes for Ukrainian youth, and strengthening the capacities of the regions during the negotiation process.

The Deputy Prime Minister thanked UNICEF Ukraine for its steadfast support of the country, particularly amid the ongoing full-scale war, and stressed the importance of international partners’ assistance, including in the framework of the ongoing negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

“European integration is a unifying factor for our society, and it is very important that we maintain this momentum. The experience and expertise of projects operating in Ukraine is a valuable resource that will strengthen European integration processes.”

For his part, Munir Mammadzade stressed the readiness of UNICEF Ukraine to expand its support for transformations on Ukraine’s path to EU accession. Speaking about potential areas of further cooperation, Olga Stefanishyna stressed the critical importance of programmes for young people as the generation that will create the future of the whole country. “Today, everything related to youth programmes is an important element of our European future. And the process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU is inextricably linked to the future of our nation. We hope that UNICEF will be one of the key partners in this direction.”

Separately, in the context of the ongoing full-scale Russian aggression and the implementation of youth and gender policies, the government official stressed the importance of dialogue and consultations with Ukrainian companies and support for Ukrainian business, in particular in terms of human potential and a comprehensive approach to overcoming existing barriers due to the war.

Olga Stefanishyna also emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation. She noted that European integration is a cross-cutting and comprehensive process.

“My task is to make European integration part of the daily work of every regional authority. Regions and communities should feel the spirit of European integration and it is essential to invest in this spirit on a regular basis. In this aspect, we look forward to the positive experience of UNICEF in the regions, in particular, the work your foundation is already doing in the context of European integration.”

Munir Mammadzade highlighted the full support of Ukraine in its further movement towards the EU and overcoming the devastating consequences of the ongoing full-scale war.