Ukraine and the Netherlands strengthen business cooperation on the path to the EU
On 30 March, the Netherlands-Ukraine Business Forum took place in the city of Breda, Netherlands, ahead of the annual Intergovernmental Conference between Ukraine and the Netherlands. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka.
The Business Forum opened with a roundtable of agricultural associations from Ukraine and the Netherlands. During the event, participants discussed the current state of Ukraine’s agricultural sector, progress in harmonising legislation with EU law, and opportunities for deepening cooperation and further integration of the Ukrainian agri-food sector into the EU.
“Over the past few years, Ukraine has carried out a profound transformation of its agricultural sector, and this progress is directly linked to our strong orientation towards EU standards. We recognise that integration must take place in a measured and phased manner – through the adaptation of policies and the search for balanced solutions. There is still a great deal of work ahead, and on this path we are open to cooperation and the joint search for solutions with our partners, which will make the process successful and mutually beneficial for all,” emphasised the Deputy Prime Minister.
The discussions also highlighted that Ukraine has already implemented a significant part of the European production standards provided for in the Association Agreement: most of the norms have already been introduced or are in the final stages of implementation.
It was separately noted that integration into the EU must be carried out in such a way as not to harm either Ukrainian or European farmers. At the same time, participants emphasised that the agricultural sectors of Ukraine and the Netherlands are complementary.
The Forum also hosted a roundtable of CEOs of Dutch companies and financial institutions, with the participation of the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma. During the discussion, the participants addressed overcoming barriers to doing business in Ukraine, as well as the growing interest of Dutch companies in the Ukrainian market, particularly in the areas of agro-industry, biofuels and energy.
Special attention was paid to the development of innovative solutions, as well as the need to strengthen regional cooperation, expand interaction and attract new partners to joint projects. Participants confirmed their readiness to continue developing cooperation and to invest in the recovery and modernisation of Ukraine’s economy.
On the sidelines of the Business Forum, with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Odesa branch of the State Enterprise Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority and Havenbedrijf Rotterdam N.V. (Port of Rotterdam). The document provides for cooperation in the areas of restoration and development of port infrastructure, in particular on port security, dredging, development of logistics chains, and the introduction of innovative solutions such as shore-side electricity for vessels. Particular attention was given to the exchange of experience and the attraction of international technical assistance to support the recovery of Odesa’s ports.
At the conclusion of the Forum, Taras Kachka stressed the importance of the irreversibility of reforms and the strengthening of European values in Ukraine, even under the conditions of full-scale war:
“The Ukrainian people and the Government continue to strengthen these values even in wartime conditions. Just as in business we do not put activities on pause, so too with values – we continue the reforms, improve the system, select judges with the support of international, including Dutch, experts, and develop anti-corruption infrastructure. We value the continued cooperation with the Netherlands in the context of accession to the European Union. All our joint efforts, mutual support and concrete actions are shaping a European society – both within the EU and in Ukraine. Our countries share the values that Ukraine is defending on the battlefield, and I am confident that we will be able to successfully uphold them both in Ukraine and across Europe as a whole. Through our joint efforts, we are demonstrating that Europe is competitive, future-oriented and capable of defending its values.”
The event brought together dozens of Ukrainian and Dutch companies, particularly in the energy and agricultural sectors, and served as a platform for discussing practical cooperation in the context of Ukraine’s recovery and its integration into the EU.