Anastasiia Datsiv took part in a special meeting of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU regarding the European Commission’s Report

On 21 November, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU held an extraordinary meeting dedicated to further work on implementing the recommendations of the European Commission’s Report on Ukraine within the 2025 Enlargement Package.

Photo credit: Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU

The meeting was attended by representatives of parliament, government, and the EU, including First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniienko, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova, members of parliament, heads of relevant subcommittees, as well as representatives of civil society who participated in the preparation of the Shadow Report on Ukraine’s progress, including Anastasiia Datsiv, Advocacy Manager of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

Participants focused on the dynamics of European integration reforms, legislative adaptation and the need to strengthen the state’s institutional capacity in preparation for future membership negotiations.

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova noted that this year’s European Commission Report on Ukraine is positive: “I would like to highlight the truly remarkable progress Ukraine has made since applying for EU membership. This report gives credit where credit is due and criticises and highlights weaknesses where necessary. I believe it is balanced because it shows the progress made since last year“.

Photo: Katarina Maternova. Photo credit: Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU

At the same time, she said, the report acknowledges the need to change negative trends regarding pressure on specialised anti-corruption bodies and civil society in Ukraine.

During the discussion, Anastasiia Datsiv highlighted the positive changes in the transparency of parliamentary work, which are noted both by civil society in its Shadow Report and by the European Commission.

“The work of the Verkhovna Rada and its committees has become more open, both in terms of broadcasts and public access to committees in general. And here, of course, we express our gratitude to your Committee on European Integration. However, there are many specialised committees that do not follow the same practices with regard to very important draft laws and are very difficult to reach“, said ZMINA’s Advocacy Manager, calling on parliamentary committees to be open and cooperative.

Overall, during the meeting, representatives of the authorities and the EU noted Ukraine’s progress in adapting its legislation to EU law, but also identified critical areas that require increased attention, in particular the dynamics of reforms, anti-corruption institutions and the protection of civil society.

Based on the results of the discussion, the committee will prepare a final decision on the list of priority draft laws and further coordination with the government on the path to European integration.