The European Union and Ukraine are deepening cooperation with the Ukrainian business community as part of the country’s path toward EU accession. At the High-Level Dialogue “Ukraine’s Economy on the Path to the EU” in Kyiv, senior representatives of the Ukrainian Government and Parliament, the EU, and EU Member States met with leaders from business, academia, and civil society to discuss the economic dimension of Ukraine’s integration. The event was co-organized by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and the Ukraine2EU Programme.
Opening the discussion, Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Denmark’s Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre, and First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniyenko emphasized that business is a driving force of Ukraine’s European future. They underlined the importance of the private sector in building resilience, fostering competitiveness, and shaping reforms in line with EU standards.
Taras Kachka announced that the Government would launch a series of regional and sectoral dialogues with business leaders across industries such as steel, agriculture, transport, energy, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. These roundtables will ensure that reforms are informed by business needs and that Ukraine’s integration process creates tangible opportunities for companies.
EU Commissioner Marta Kos stressed that Ukraine’s accession is not simply a technical exercise but a profound political, societal, and economic transformation. She noted that strong democratic institutions and the rule of law are critical for creating a trustworthy environment for citizens and investors, thereby accelerating reconstruction and integration into the European family.
Denmark’s European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre, speaking on behalf of the current Presidency of the Council of the EU, reaffirmed that enlargement remains a strategic priority. She highlighted Ukraine’s determination to reform as essential for building investor confidence and ensuring that the country can one day participate fully in the EU Single Market.
Oleksandr Korniyenko emphasized the importance of sustained, broad-based dialogue, urging that these conversations extend beyond government offices in Kyiv to communities, enterprises, and production sites across the country.
The discussion also highlighted Ukraine’s progress toward fulfilling the Copenhagen economic criteria. Lithuania’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, shared her country’s experience, emphasizing that institutional reforms strengthen fairness and transparency in the business environment.
Business leaders participating in the dialogue stressed the need for clear legislation, financial support, and knowledge-sharing to prepare for entry into the EU Single Market. They confirmed their readiness to contribute expertise and feedback to ensure reforms are effective, sustainable, and supportive of growth.
The event marks the start of a structured and continuous engagement between the Ukrainian government, the EU, and the business community – laying the groundwork for Ukraine’s successful integration into the European Union.
