Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services Volodymyr Groysman met with President of the Committee of the Regions Michel Lebrun on October 8 in the framework of a working visit to Brussels.

The parties discussed the progress of implementation by Ukraine of the reforms on decentralization and administrative structure as a component of the reform program of the President of Ukraine "Strategy 2020", as well as the enlargement of regional cooperation with the EU via new programs and strategies.

The Ukrainian side expressed interest in stirring up cooperation with the Committee of the Regions of the EU, namely in the implementation of joint projects to ensure gradual adaptation of the decentralization reform on the local level. The Ukrainian side ascertained we were ready to use all the tools and the experience of European partners to maintain a broad dialogue on territorial cooperation, regional development and management of the municipal sector.

Volodymyr Groysman and Michel Lebrun agreed to set up a joint panel of Ukraine and the Committee of the Regions called to work on the implementation of decentralization reform in Ukraine. In particular, its function will include facilitation the realization of the elaborated reform and rendering practical assistance by the EU to the local authorities.