ICPS knows how to target EU technical assistance towards the reforms

On March 23, the International Centre for Policy Studies held a discussion on “How to direct EU aid towards the reform process in Ukraine?” Officials from the Verkhovna Rada, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Justice, the Coordination Bureau for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the event. Oleh Rybachuk, Chair of the Expert Community Council representing the Ukrainian part of the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Committee and a former Vice Premier for European Integration, contributed to the event on behalf of non-state actors (NSAs). The European side was represented by Head of Operations Section 2 of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Claudia Fischer, the ambassadors of Finland, Spain, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, and Romania, and other top diplomats. The discussion also brought together members of the European Business Association, Ukrainian think-tanks, international donors, and the press.

During the roundtable, ICPS analysts described the process the EU follows in drawing up its budget and how third countries can successfully be involved at various stages. The presentation and subsequent debate were based on an ICPS policy brief called “Additional Resources for Reforms: Make hay while the sun shines” and the full report it was based on, called “EU Financial Perspective 2014-2018: Means to influence.” The invited speakers, Oleksiy Rozhkov, Deputy Director of Department for EU Cooperation under the Economy Ministry, and Mr. Rybachuk, emphasized that Ukraine needs to lobby its interests before the EU proactively and soon, before the multi-annual EU budget is set in stone in 2011. They also discussed the way Ukraine lobbied in the past and the results of those attempts. All sides agreed that implementing crucial reforms in Ukraine now would be a perfect lobbying strategy to promote the country’s interests and priorities.