The Ukraine-EU cooperation in the field of transport is regulated by the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union aims to promote the development of stable, efficient and safe transport, as well as to intermodality and operational compatibility of transport systems.
In accordance with Chapter 7 of Section 5 ("Economic and Sectoral Cooperation"), this cooperation should facilitate restructuring and renewal of Ukraine's transport sector and the gradual harmonization of existing standards and policies with the EU legislation, in particular by implementing the measures set out in Annex XXXII to this Agreement.
The Ukraine-EU cooperation in the field of transport is also aimed at improving the movement of passengers and goods, increasing the flow of traffic between Ukraine, the EU and third countries in the region by removing administrative, technical, border and other barriers, promoting the transport network and modernizing infrastructure.
In the context of harmonization of national legislation of Ukraine, the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine until 2030 was approved by the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on 30 May 2018, adapting national legislation to EU standards and promote further liberalization and mutual access to the markets.
Implementing the provisions of the Transport Association Agreement, Ukraine needs to adopt legislation that would meet EU requirements in the areas of road, rail, inland waterways and the transportation of dangerous goods. It is expected that the Action Plan for the implementation of the National Transport Strategy and a Comprehensive Action Plan to improve the management of the infrastructure cycle will be adopted in accordance with international standards.
Cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels.
Issues of bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of transport are discussed within the Association bodies: the Association Council, the Association Committee, and at the expert level - within Cluster 3 of the Subcommittee on Economy and other Sectoral Cooperation of the EU-Ukraine Association Committee.
Ukraine and the EU cooperate in the framework of various regional initiatives, including TRACECA, at the international level - in the framework of international transport organizations, agreements and conventions ratified by the parties.
At the end of 2011, an additional multilateral format for cooperation on transport the Eastern Partnership Transport Panel (Thematic Platform № 2 “Economic Integration and Approximation to EU Policies”) was created, which meets twice a year.
The establishment of a common transport network between the EU and its eastern neighbours during the Eastern Partnership Transport Ministerial Meeting (9 October 2013, Luxembourg) was an important step towards strengthening integration between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries. The Eastern Partnership Regional Transport Network, approved by the Ministers, identifies the most important transport links between the EU and its eastern neighbors, including Ukraine. The network has been developed in accordance with Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) connectivity in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and other EU member states.
On 21 June 2016 in Rotterdam, the Ministers of Transport of the Eastern Partnership countries, EU member states and the European Commission decided to extend TEN-T to neighboring EU countries, including Ukraine. The transport links and nodes shown on the map of the trans-European transport corridors are based on the comprehensive and core networks approved by Regulation № 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network.
On November 24, 2017, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the EU High Representative signed "High-Level Mutual Understanding between Ukraine and the EU on the extension of indicative maps of the European Transport Network TEN-T to Ukraine."
In December 2018, the Indicative Investment Action Plan of the EaP countries within the framework of TEN-T was adopted , which included package investment proposals and the needs of these countries for the modernization of transport infrastructure. Based on this Plan, the Eastern Partnership countries elaborated concrete project proposals for obtaining financing pf the European and world financial institutions. Ukraine plans to modernize its transport infrastructure under this plan for a total of about 4.5 billion euros.
One of the targeted formats of cooperation with the EU is the annual ministerial meetings on the Danube River. The last Fourth Meeting was held on December 3, 2018 in Brussels, following which the Conclusions on the effective restoration and maintenance of waterway infrastructure on the Danube and its navigable tributaries were signed.
Common Aviation Area Agreement between Ukraine and the EU.
On November 28, 2013, Ukraine and the EU initialed the Common Aviation Area Agreement within the framework of the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit. This agreement defines the way to create a common aviation area between Ukraine and the EU on the basis of common and reliable standards in the field of flight safety and air traffic management. It will expand market access and offer new business opportunities for consumers and airlines on both sides. The signing of the CAP Agreement is expected within a year, after the completion of all domestic procedures in EU member states.
The agreement between Ukraine and the European Community on certain aspects of air services is currently a key aviation document between Ukraine and the EU.
Recently, many passengers, including from Ukraine, have faced cancellations of flights, tickets and other travel complications due to the COVID-19 pandemic.