Ukraine sets itself an ambitious goal: to pave the way from candidate to EU membership in two years and even before obtaining membership, ensure full integration into the internal markets of the EU. The First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko told about this during a meeting with representatives of member companies of the European Business Association on October 25, 2022.

"We are doing everything to speed up the accession to the EU. Perhaps it will sound rather ambitious, but we set for ourselves a two-year timeframe, during which Ukraine should go from a candidate to a full member of the European Union. Every plenary week, the Verkhovna Rada tries to consider at least one European integration law in order to accelerate this movement to the highest extent possible in all directions.

Moreover, we want to ensure the full integration of Ukraine into the internal markets of the EU yet now, even before the accession. On the agenda is the continuation of full access of Ukrainian goods to Western markets. So that our entrepreneurs can count on such access in the next two years. Our European partners say: why do you need more, then you will already be members of the EU. We agree. Our entrepreneurs will be satisfied with the continuation of actions until full membership," Yuliia Svyrydenko said.

At the meeting, which was attended by more than 170 representatives of member companies of the European Business Association and representatives of EU embassies, the following issues were also discussed:

• the current economic situation in the country and forecasts for the next year;
• ratification of the free trade agreement with Turkey;
• draft law No. 7687 on the reservation of conscripts during wartime;
• reforms of the Labor Code and others.

As Yuliia Svyrydenko noted, today we can admit the stabilization of the economy. If earlier a fall at the level of 35-37% was predicted, now there is hope that the decline will stop at the level of about 30%. Inflation at the end of the year will be 30%. The unemployment rate is 28%, and next year it will be 30%. The economy will gradually recover. Even if military operations in the active phase continue for the first six months, GDP growth is forecast at 4.6%.

Speaking about the Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, Yuliia Svyrydenko noted that everything is ready for its ratification. However, the situation in Ukraine has changed since the signing of the Agreement: currently Ukrainian producers need special protection. Negotiations are currently underway with Turkey to establish a transition period for certain branches of production, in particular the light industry of Ukraine. It is expected that in December 2022 - January 2023, additional agreements will be signed - and the Agreement will be ratified by the parliaments of both countries.

Yuliia Svyrydenko emphasized, this is done so that Ukrainian manufacturers can compete with foreign producers, in particular, for government orders.

"We are guided by the approach that the funds of the government orders should remain in Ukraine," emphasized the Minister of Economy.

Regarding draft law No. 7687 on the reservation of conscripts during wartime, Yuliia Svyrydenko emphasized that the Government supports the adoption of the draft law in the version that passed the first reading. That is, the law should allow the reservation of workers as separate from mobilization tasks.

After the document is approved, the Ministry of Economy initiates a discussion with businesses on the issue of determining the criteria for enterprises critical to ensuring the economy or the livelihood of the population. In particular, taking into account the proposals, changes will be made to the current Resolution No. 194, which regulates the issue of reservations.