On Tuesday, August 27, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution that provides for the creation of an Interagency Working Group on the negotiation process for Ukraine's accession to the European Union and the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to EU law. It also includes the establishment of 36 working (negotiating) groups to prepare Ukraine’s negotiating positions on the relevant sections of the EU’s negotiation framework.
"We have already begun the next phase toward membership, namely – bilateral meetings within the framework of the official screening. Effective coordination is a key tool in ensuring productive negotiations with the EU. We are building the negotiation architecture to ensure that every detail of this complex and bureaucratic mechanism works clearly and harmoniously," noted Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishina, commenting on the government’s decision.
A list of government bodies, institutions, and organizations whose representatives will be part of each working (negotiating) group has been approved. It is also provided that the groups will include Members of Parliament, as well as representatives from civil society, the business community, and academics. Each group will work on specific issues within their areas of expertise.
"Our goal is to ensure coordinated work among all participants in the negotiation process. This is crucial for the effective preparation of bilateral meetings between Ukraine and the EU within the official screening of national legislation’s compliance with EU law, and subsequently for the development of negotiating positions and other necessary documents," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Interagency Working Group, also established by the Resolution, will serve as the coordinating body to ensure the integrity and consistency of the negotiation process on Ukraine's path to EU membership. The head of the Interagency Working Group is Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishina.
According to the Regulations of the Interagency Working Group, its tasks include:
- Assisting in the preparation for negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, particularly through the consolidated formulation of Ukraine's negotiating position by legislative and executive bodies;
- Identifying ways, mechanisms, and methods for resolving issues that arise during the formation of Ukraine's negotiating position;
- Planning, monitoring, and assessing the effectiveness of implementing recommendations contained in decisions made by the European Commission regarding Ukraine.
