On 29–30 September, Brussels is hosting the first official screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU legislation in the field of regional policy and coordination of structural instruments (Negotiating Chapter 22).

Ukrainian delegation

The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Oleksii Riabykin, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. Vitalii Bezgin and Oleh Dunda, the representatives of the relevant parliamentary committee, are also participating in the negotiations.

Thus, a consolidated team of authorities is working in Brussels, with the Government and Parliament jointly representing the Ukrainian position.

The highlights of the first day of screening:

• Ukraine presented the classification of territories according to NUTS-UA standards, which ensures statistical compatibility with the EU.
• The delegation demonstrated a geoinformation system for regional development that visualises socio-economic indicators, security status, investment needs and priorities.
• The results of the implementation of public investment reform, based on the strategic development priorities of the state, regions and communities, were presented.

‘Ukraine is not only declaring its readiness; it is already implementing the principles of European cohesion policy. For us, these are genuine instruments for developing and restoring communities and regions, reinforced by modern digital solutions for transparent governance. Chapter 22 marks the completion of the process of screening Ukrainian legislation for compliance with the EU acquis. Even in times of war, we are continuing to reform and create a new standard of public policy. I would like to thank my colleagues from the European Commission for their constant support and assistance. I am also grateful to the large Ukrainian team that worked on preparing for this screening. Ukraine is part of a strong and united Europe,’ emphasised Oleksii Riabykin.

Political highlights from the Parliament

MP Vitalii Bezgin, who, along with Oleh Dunda, represents the relevant Verkhovna Rada Committee, outlined the key areas that were discussed:

• Financial prospects for Ukraine. Despite the EU’s increased spending on security and defence, the amount of cohesion funds available to Ukraine remains ‘astronomical’.
• The State Fund for Regional Development as a testing ground for European integration. The SFRD is set to become a pilot model for the implementation of cohesion policy, a fact that has been explicitly acknowledged at state level for the first time.
• Macro-regions and development strategy. It is planned that the NUTS-1 classification will be updated by the end of 2025, with the definition of nine statistical macro-regions. Additionally, Ukraine presented four security macro-regions, which would be considered in the State Strategy for Regional Development.
• Local self-government and European practices. The European Commission praised the work of Ukrainian communities in Interreg programmes as exemplary and said that the new legislation on international cooperation complies with European standards.
• Digital tools. By the end of 2025, the Unified Geoinformation System for Regional Development is expected to be fully launched, which will become the basic source of data for management decisions.

Screening is the first official stage of the EU accession negotiation process. The results will determine whether negotiations on the relevant chapter are opened or a list of conditions is set out for Ukraine.

Today’s discussion of Chapter 22 will conclude the screening process and mark the culmination of Ukraine's readiness to adopt European standards in regional policy.