Oleksii Riabykin, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, paid a working visit to the Republic of Slovenia. During this visit, Deputy Minister held a series of meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation in regional development, European integration, and the exchange of experience in implementing the European Union's cohesion policy.

During talks with Alexander Jevšek, Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development of Slovenia, the parties discussed ways to further deepen the partnership and strengthen the institutional capacity of Ukrainian communities.

 

 

Oleksii Riabykin emphasised the importance of Ukraine learning from the practical experience of EU member states that have successfully completed the process of European integration.

‘Slovenia is an example to us of the effective implementation of European cohesion policy and of working with communities. We are grateful for your willingness to share your experience and support Ukraine in its reform and recovery process. This kind of cooperation will help our communities to become stronger and integrate more quickly into the European space,’ the Deputy Minister emphasised.

Minister Aleksander Jevšek highlighted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministries at the end of October on cooperation in regional development, European integration, and inter-municipal partnerships establishes a solid foundation for joint initiatives. In particular, it facilitates the organisation of study trips for Ukrainian communities to Slovenia, where they can learn about the most effective European regional development practices.

He also noted Slovenia’s openness to further cooperation with Ukraine, as well as its willingness to share experience of the accession process to the European Union.

‘I welcome Ukraine’s active implementation of the necessary steps for European integration, despite the challenges,’ said Aleksander Jevšek.

At the meeting, concrete measures were discussed to help Ukrainian communities get through the heating season and implement reconstruction projects. The possibility of Aleksander Jevšek and a Slovenian delegation visiting Ukraine was also discussed.

During the working meetings, the Ukrainian delegation was presented with a study by the Slovenian side on Ukraine’s negotiation process and Slovenia’s experience of implementing EU cohesion policy. In turn, the Ukrainian side presented information on the status of the negotiation process under Chapter 22 ‘Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments’.

 

 

During his visit, Oleksii Riabykin visited the Podravje region, where he attended a presentation about the Podravje-Maribor Regional Development Agency’s activities.

During his meeting with Saša Arsenovič, Mayor of Maribor, the two parties discussed inter-municipal partnerships, as well as ways to support local development and innovation.

Currently, 28 Ukrainian and Slovenian municipalities already have direct partnerships, including Bucha and Kočevje, Kharkiv and Maribor, Chortkiv and Grosuplje, Drohobych and Hrastnik, and Pereshchepyne and Idrija.