Ukraine takes latest Euro-Atlantic integration measures

Ukraine is attempting to join the NATO Reflection
Process that will become the foundation for forming the NATO-2030 strategic
concept, said Olha Stefanyshyna, the deputy prime minister for European and
Euro-Atlantic integration, as reported by the eurointegration.com.ua news site
on July 31. Ukraine’s involvement was discussed during her July 9 visit to NATO
headquarters, during which she met with secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.
“Ukraine is that force that can significantly strengthen Euro-Atlantic security
owing to its practical experience, already apparent ability in the security and
defense spheres, preparedness for transformations and partnership in regions
beyond its own borders,” she said. It’s also important for Ukraine to
effectively fulfill its annual national programs as part of the Ukraine-NATO
commission, which draws Ukraine closer to membership, she said. Recall on June
12, the NATO Council recognized Ukraine as a member of its Enhanced
Oppotunities Partnership, joining such countries as Australia, Finland, Sweden,
Georgia, and Jordan.

Ukraine’s cabinet approved on July 29 four
Euro-integration initiatives in the spheres of customs regulations, energy,
industrial free trade and new security measures for identification documents,
Stefanyshyna said. In particular, the state energy enterprise Market Operator
will be converted into a joint stock company fully owned by the state, which
will lead to independent state control over the its activity and consumers
being able to have a wider choice in their energy supply. New customs
regulations entail joining the Authorized Economic Operator program. Regarding
industrial free trade, an ACCA agreement will unify measurements in the defense
sphere to enable producers to enter the E.U. market without additional
certification.

Zenon Zawada: Ukraine’s
constant puzzle with Euro-Atlantic integration for the last two decades is that
it has been fairly consistent (albeit slow) in adopting the various legislative
reforms, but ineffective in implementing them (owing to norms of corruption
inherited from the Soviet Union). The Zelensky administration is no different.
So investors can draw optimism from these ongoing integration developments, but
at the same time recognize that many of the laws are not being upheld and norms
are not being implemented in institutions, particularly law enforcement.

Ukraine will not join NATO for as long as Russia is
militarily involved in Donbas. But the Zelensky administration is doing the
next best thing, which is integrating as much as possible. And with its
military experience in resisting Russian aggression, Ukraine has become a
valuable asset to NATO in recent years.