European integration and reform progress: EU4PFM and Partners reviewed 2025 cooperation results

European integration and reform progress: EU4PFM and Partners reviewed 2025 cooperation results

On February 4, the 16th Steering Committee meeting of the EU4PFM Programme took place. EU4PFM is Ukraine's key European partner in implementing reforms and advancing European integration.

"Despite the war, Ukraine remains committed to its European course and is consistently moving toward EU membership. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, European Union support has been pivotal in maintaining the resilience of public finances and funding the country's critical needs. Significant progress in reforms, particularly in areas under the Ministry of Finance's purview, has been achieved thanks to close cooperation with the European Commission and the EU4PFM Programme. We view the continuation of this cooperation as strategically vital - not only for Ukraine's recovery but also for the security and stability of all of Europe," emphasised Yuriy Draganchuk, Deputy Minister of Finance for European Integration, in his opening remarks.

Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of Sector for Public Finance, Business Support and Social Policies at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, emphasised that public finance management is a cornerstone of effective EU budget support, ensuring that funds are used in the most efficient way. Mr Huitfeldt added that preparations for the next phase of the Programme are currently being completed, reinforcing the EU's commitment to sustained support over the next three years. Congratulating the Ukrainian partners on the development of the PFM Strategy, he described it as setting an ambitious standard for the years ahead. Mr Huitfeldt also emphasised that he looks forward to the launch of the pilot project in key spending units on the implementation of programme-based budgeting and reaffirmed the EU's readiness to continue providing enhanced support in these areas of reform.

Jurgita Domeikiene, EU4PFM Team Leader for Components 1, 3, and 4, welcomed the participants and thanked the Ukrainian partners for their resilience and dedicated work amidst ongoing Russian aggression, stating:

"During the reporting period, we supported our partners - the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service, and the State Customs Service in the screening process and the preparation of negotiating positions for the 'Taxation,' 'Customs Union,' 'Own Resources,' and 'Financial Control' Chapters. Additionally, EU4PFM experts contributed to the development of the National Programme for the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to the EU acquis. Our work focused on defining the Programme's strategic goals based on the Enlargement Report, screening results, and key EU documents across all areas of our activity."

Results of Joint Activities

The meeting presented the outcomes of the joint efforts between EU4PFM and its Partner Institutions over the past year, including:

• endorsement by the Government of the draft new Customs Code of Ukraine and positive assessment of EU experts'
• commencement of the selection process for the SCS Head
• launching the development of the NCTS Phase 6
• finalisation of the draft law on ATAD (Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive)
• deployment of SAF-T (E-audit) IT solution
• drafting the 2026-2030 PFM Strategy​

Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine Svitlana Vorobei noted that with the expert EU4PFM support, Ukraine successfully completed the official screening for Negotiating Chapter 16 'Taxation.' This achievement confirms the state's institutional capacity to move forward in negotiations with the EU."

Oleksandr Hrubiian, Deputy Minister of Finance for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalisation, added: "In the darkest times, EU4PFM support became a true digital and energy shield for the Ministry of Finance, helping to protect data, ensure business continuity, and withstand even blackouts. We didn't just maintain the system; we continued reforms, digitalisation, and our movement toward the EU."

Future Priorities

The participants outlined the following areas for continued cooperation:

• Budget Policy and Internal Control: strengthening the Ministry of Finance's capacity in budgeting based on European experience. The 2026-2030 PFM Strategy includes a pilot project for selected key spending units (KSUs) to improve the practical application of budget legislation. In the PIFC area, the Ministry of Finance and EU4PFM plan to finalise the pilot project at the Ministry of Justice and continue the harmonisation of national internal audit standards with the updated Global Internal Audit Standards.
• Tax and Customs Reforms: the priority for 2026 is the alignment of national legislation with the EU Law within the timelines set by strategic documents. In customs, the goal is to finalise the new Customs Code, synchronise the roadmap for the development of EU-compliant IT systems and launch the development of new UCC based customs clearance and risk management systems.
• Governance: development and implementation of the Anti-Corruption Programme for the State Customs Service for 2026 and beyond. Further implementation of the Competency Framework in HRM of all Partner Institutions and the deployment of other modern HRM tools as well as strengthening of administrative capacities of the MoF, the STS and the SCS.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous consensus that the professional partnership with EU4PFM, yielding measurable results, significantly brings Ukraine closer to full membership in the European Union.