European Integration: Practical Achievements and Future Plans

The team of the State Forest Resources Agency, together with representatives of профильных ministries and institutions, took part in an information session with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST).

Ukrainian and European experts discussed the practical implementation of the key benchmarks assigned to Ukraine under Negotiation Cluster 4, «Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity». This cluster includes Chapter 27, «Environment and Climate Change», which is the most complex and covers more than 200 EU legal acts.

«Representatives of the European Commission emphasized that Ukraine is carrying out a large volume of work and making significant efforts on its path toward EU membership, and assured their readiness to provide all necessary assistance», - said First Deputy Head of the State Forest Resources Agency, Volodymyr Buchko.

Among the areas of work that Ukraine needs to focus on, DG ENEST representatives identified:

adoption of a circular economy strategy;

introduction of an emissions trading system in Ukraine;

ensuring effective management of protected natural areas.

«This information session helped us better understand the expectations of the European Commission, align our progress in fulfilling European integration commitments, and plan further work in preparation for the next stages of the negotiation process. We continue systematic work toward our shared goal – Ukraine’s membership in the European Union», - concluded Head of the International Relations, Science and Public Communications Sector, Mariana Ostrovska.

It should be recalled that on September 30, 2025, Ukraine and the European Commission officially completed the screening process assessing the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU law, which confirmed a high level of alignment with European standards. Based on the screening results, the European Commission provided Ukraine with a number of recommendations that are currently being processed, and practical outcomes are being discussed with the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood.