We now have a peculiar moment to advance Ukraine's European integration. It is important to make the most of it. This was emphasized by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna during a meeting with the newly appointed Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman.

On the eve of the EU-Ukraine Summit to be held on February 3, the participants of the meeting discussed Ukraine's progress in implementing political reforms set out in the European Commission's recommendations and outlined further steps to be taken.

"We have a unique moment when public support for the country's European course is the highest in the history of Ukraine's independence, and we have absolute political will and determination to implement complex reforms at the level of the President, Government, Parliament, and the judiciary," emphasized Olha Stefanishyna. "We continue to work on the necessary changes within the country and look forward to the European Commission's assessment of our progress in the spring".

She also noted that this assessment would provide an opportunity to prepare for further integration of the country without slowing down, including fulfilling all the prerequisites for the opening of negotiations on EU membership.

For his part, Gert Jan Koopman emphasized that the EU would continue to support Ukraine in its aspirations to become a full member of the EU and would make every effort to deepen the fruitful cooperation and strong partnership between Ukraine and the EU. He also noted Ukraine's commitment to European integration and reforms despite the challenges of a full-scale war.

The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the EU for supporting Ukraine and mobilizing resources to maintain economic stability, recovery, and eventual reconstruction. "We should already be preparing for the post-war reconstruction and restoration of Ukraine as a future EU member, in accordance with all European standards and norms," Olha Stefanishyna emphasized.

The meeting was also attended by the newly appointed Head of the Support Group for Ukraine Anna Jarosz-Friis, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Katarína Mathernová, and Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas, and others.