Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the transport sector is governed by the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, the European Atomic Energy Community, and their member states. The aim is to promote the development of stable transport systems, ensure efficient and safe transportation, as well as intermodality and operational compatibility of transport systems.
According to Chapter 7 of Section 5 ("Economic and Sectoral Cooperation"), this cooperation seeks to support the restructuring and modernization of Ukraine's transport sector and the gradual alignment of existing standards and policies with those in the EU, particularly through the implementation of measures outlined in Annex XXXII to the Agreement.
The cooperation also aims to enhance passenger and freight movement, increase the fluidity of transport flows between Ukraine, the EU, and third countries in the region by removing administrative, technical, border, and other barriers, improving the transport network, and modernizing infrastructure.
In the context of harmonizing national legislation, by Order No. 430-р dated May 30, 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine for the period up to 2030. The main task of this strategy is to adapt national legislation to EU legislation, which will facilitate the liberalization and mutual market access between Ukraine and the European Union.
During the implementation of the Association Agreement's provisions in the transport sector, Ukraine requires the adoption of legislation that meets EU standards in areas such as road transport, rail transport, inland waterways, and the transport of hazardous goods. It is expected that the Action Plan for the Implementation of the National Transport Strategy up to 2030 will be adopted, along with a Comprehensive Action Plan for improving infrastructure lifecycle management according to international standards.
Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation
Issues of bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the transport sector are discussed within the Association institutions: the Association Council, the Association Committee, and at the expert level – within Cluster 3 of the Subcommittee on Economic and Other Sectoral Cooperation of the Association Committee between Ukraine and the EU.
Ukraine and the EU collaborate within various regional initiatives, including TRACECA, and on an international level through international transport organizations, agreements, and conventions ratified by both parties.
In late 2011, an additional multilateral format for transport-related interactions was established—the Eastern Partnership Transport Panel (Thematic Platform No. 2 "Economic Integration and Approximation to EU Policies"), with meetings held twice a year.
A significant step towards enhancing integration between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries was the creation of a joint transport network between the EU and its eastern neighbors on October 9, 2013, in Luxembourg, during a meeting of Eastern Partnership transport ministers. The regional transport network of the Eastern Partnership, approved by the ministers, identifies key transport connections between the EU and its eastern neighbors, including Ukraine. This network was developed in alignment with the TEN-T connections in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and other EU member states.
On June 21, 2016, in Rotterdam, transport ministers from Eastern Partnership countries, EU member states, and the European Commission decided to extend the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) to the EU’s neighboring countries, including Ukraine. The transport connections and nodes depicted on the TEN-T map are based on the comprehensive and core networks approved by Regulation No. 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and Council on the guidelines for the development of the Trans-European Transport Network.
On November 24, 2017, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and EU High Representative Federica Mogherini signed a "High-Level Understanding between Ukraine and the EU on the extension of the indicative maps of the European TEN-T Transport Network to Ukraine."
In December 2018, the Indicative Investment Action Plan for Eastern Partnership countries within the TEN-T framework was adopted. This plan included investment proposals and needs for these countries to modernize transport infrastructure. Based on this plan, Eastern Partnership countries formulate project proposals for funding from European and global financial institutions.
On December 22, 2023, a High-Level Understanding between Ukraine and the European Union was signed to extend the indicative maps of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) in Ukraine. This will include new routes leading to the borders with EU member states and the Republic of Moldova.
Ukraine has planned the modernization of transport infrastructure under this plan for a total amount of approximately 4.5 billion euros.
On June 29, 2022, in Lyon (French Republic), an Agreement was concluded between Ukraine and the European Union on freight transportation by road (after - Agreement).
This significantly accelerated and improved logistics between Ukraine and the European Union and contributed to a significant increase in the volumes of imported and exported goods transported by road.
On March 16, 2023, during the first meeting of the Joint Committee established in accordance with the Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on freight transportation by road, a corresponding decision was made regarding the extension of the Agreement until June 30, 2024. Work is currently underway for the further extension of its validity.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, it has been possible to expand logistical capabilities and infrastructure at the western border with the EU. The electronic border crossing system eQueue has been launched and is successfully functioning at the crossing points. The throughput of the “Krakivets” point on the border with Poland has been increased. Two new crossing points on the border with Romania have been opened: 1) automobile checkpoint “Krasnoilsk” in November 2022 and 2) checkpoint “Dyakivtsi – Rakovets” for pedestrians and passenger cars in February 2023. Work has been resumed on the railway route “Rakhiv – Valya Vishuluy” to Romania.
Construction of two more crossing points on the border with Romania has begun: checkpoint “Bila Tserkva-Sighetu Marmației” and checkpoint “Ruska – Ulma.”
On June 6, 2023, in Lviv, an Agreement was concluded between Ukraine, on one side, and the European Union, on the other side, on Ukraine's participation in the EU program “Connecting Europe Facility” (CEF), which will allow attracting EU funding for the development of transport arteries and supporting sustainable trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy, and digital services.
The CEF instrument is key to improving transport connectivity with the European Union by integrating Ukraine into trans-European networks. The program plans to implement six projects for the development of the western border. The projects aim to modernize automobile and railway crossing points, access roads, truck parking areas, and purchase equipment for customs and border control.
On May 16, 2024, the reconstruction of the international automobile checkpoint “Reni” was completed. The launch of full joint control is the first step in the implementation of the “green corridor” initiative between the Ukrainian checkpoint “Reni,” the Moldovan “Dzhurdzhuleshti,” and the Romanian “Galati.” The launch of joint control on the Ukrainian side will increase the throughput capacity of this section of the border.
Work is also underway on the projects of agreements on control at joint crossing points and interaction of controlling authorities with neighboring EU member states.
One of the targeted formats of cooperation with the EU is the annual ministerial meetings on the development of the Danube River. To ensure an adequate level of safety and service on internal waterways, as well as to provide standardized harmonized services according to the best EU practices, in January 2024, the Ukrainian side initiated the submission of an application for the implementation of the project “Ukrainian River Information Service on the Danube - UkrRIS-Danube” within the current competition under the EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program.
On May 12, 2022, the Government of Ukraine, together with the European Commission, launched the “Solidarity Lanes” initiative. During the full-scale war and until the start of the grain corridor, the initiative was the only way to export Ukrainian goods to the rest of the world, as well as the only way to import all necessary goods to Ukraine, such as fuel, humanitarian aid, fertilizers, medical supplies, etc.
Since the start of the temporary corridor (from September 2023), a total of 14.7 million tons have been transshipped, including 10.3 million tons of grain and 4.3 million tons of other cargo.
Throughout 2023, Ukrainian seaports processed 45.3 million tons of grain cargo, of which 19.8 million tons were processed by Danube region ports and 25.5 million tons by ports of Greater Odessa.
Agreement between Ukraine and the EU on the Common Aviation Area:
On November 28, 2013, Ukraine and the EU initialed the Agreement on the Common Aviation Area at the Vilnius Summit of the Eastern Partnership.
On October 12, 2021, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, European Commission Vice-President — High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, and Ambassador of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council to Ukraine Tomaž Mencin signed an agreement between Ukraine, on one side, and the European Union and its member states, on the other side, on the Common Aviation Area.
According to the provisions of the Agreement, the parties will establish a Common Aviation Area between Ukraine and the EU based on equal rules of aviation safety, air traffic management, workers' social rights, electronic booking systems, environmental protection, and consumer rights protection.