In Brussels, Vitalii Bezgin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, met with Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of DG ENEST. The parties discussed Ukraine’s fulfilment of its commitments under the Ukraine Facility Plan, the EU future cohesion policy, social housing, and support for communities.

According to Vitalii Bezgin, the Ministry continues to fulfil Ukraine’s commitments under the Ukraine Facility Plan. In particular, work is underway on indicator 9.3, which concerns the delineation of powers between local self-government and the executive authorities. Ukraine has also fulfilled indicator 10.16 on aligning energy efficiency requirements with EU standards. This unlocks EUR 60 million in funding.

The Ministry is preparing further legislative changes in this area jointly with U-LEAD with Europe programme.

The EU cohesion policy and the EU budget for 2028–2034 were separate topics of discussion. The EU is reviewing its approaches to supporting regions, whereas Ukraine is preparing changes to its own regional policy. As the Minister noted, these approaches are already in the coordination process with European partners.

The meeting participants also discussed the development of social housing and the search for European funding for this area. Other issues included support for frontline communities, the accommodation of evacuees, mobile protective shelters, restoration of infrastructure, and energy efficiency.

Vitalii Bezgin thanked Gert Jan Koopman and the European Commission team for their support of Ukraine.