• Українською
  • Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session
    Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 14 January 2025 12:20

    Dear colleagues, fellow Ukrainians,

    For almost three years now, Ukraine has been waging a full-scale war for its independence, sovereignty, and the ability to choose its own path and future.

    By unleashing a full-scale aggression against our country, russia sought to stop Ukraine on its way to the European Union. Instead, today Ukraine is closer than ever to becoming a full member of the EU.

    We are doing everything possible to make 2025 a turning point on our European integration path. We are moving from the political decision to start negotiations to actual negotiations on specific clusters.

    We have the necessary architecture for the negotiation process with the European Union. We have formed 36 working groups to prepare our positions on all clusters.

    We will continue to screen Ukrainian legislation for compliance with European legislation.

    Our task is to complete the negotiation process as quickly as possible.

    ***

    In parallel with the negotiation track, we continue to successfully integrate into the EU internal market.

    Exports of Ukrainian goods to Europe continue to grow. 60% of everything that Ukrainian businesses sell abroad goes to the EU. Last year, we exported almost USD 25 billion worth of goods to the EU. This is 6% more than in 2023.

    One of the important factors of this success was the so-called “economic visa-free regime”, when most Ukrainian goods enter the EU without duties, tariffs and quotas.

    At the very least, our goal in trade for this year is to maintain access to the EU market at a level no worse than 2024.

    We will discuss with our European partners both the extension of the “economic visa-free regime” and its permanent consolidation through amendments to the Association Agreement.

    This year, we will also discuss the extension of the “transport visa-free regime”, which means that Ukrainian road carriers can operate without special permits.

    Last year, exports by road totalled more than 10 million tonnes worth USD 14.7 billion. This is a 5% increase compared to 2023 and is evidence of the importance of the “transport visa-free regime” for Ukrainian logistics and exports.

    The Government also plans to complete all internal preparations for negotiations on the signing of an “industrial visa-free regime” in the near future. There is only one draft law left to be adopted, which we will submit to the Parliament in the near future. After that, we will be able to proceed to the official process of concluding the agreement.

    The “industrial visa-free regime” is another unique tool to support Ukrainian business and integrate into the European economy, which provides for mutual recognition of product certification. This will increase export opportunities and reduce bureaucracy and the time required for Ukrainian goods to enter the European market.

    At the same time, we continue negotiations on joint customs and border control at the border with the EU. We expect the first results this year.

    The European Commission is currently assessing our potential agreement with Poland. After agreeing on the technical issues, we will be able to use this proven model for our other EU neighbours.

    This year, we will also continue to expand and improve the eCherha system. In more than 2 years, we have almost 1.6 million border crossings using this system.

    Every day, thousands of trucks and buses use the system, which reduces the time they spend at the border.

    We also plan to further modernise the border crossing points.

    Last year, the Strategy for the Development of Border Infrastructure with the EU and Moldova until 2030 was approved. It provides for the reconstruction of 28 checkpoints and the construction of at least six new ones.

    Our goal is to make border crossing for citizens and businesses as quick and convenient as possible.

    ***

    We continue our cooperation with the EU in all areas. Ukraine is particularly grateful for the financial support.

    Today, the European Union is a key donor to our budget. Over the 35 months of the full-scale war, we have already attracted more than USD 50 billion to the state budget from the EU and European countries.

    This year, we received the first EUR 3 billion from our European partners, which will be secured by the proceeds of frozen russian assets.

    Thank you for your continued support!

    We are grateful to our soldiers for allowing Ukraine to freely choose its European path.

    Thank you to everyone who works to make European Ukraine happen.

    Thank you for your attention. Glory to Ukraine!

    Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at Government session