Gradual integration in the accession framework: How to deliver?

01 December 2025
Policy Dialogue

Keynote speaker: Oksana Diakun, Deputy Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the EU and the European Atomic Energy Community

Speakers: Janis Aizsalnieks, Team Leader for Socio-Economic Policy Team, Ukraine Service, DG NEAR, European Commission; Oleksandra Avramenko, Head of the EU Integration Committee of UCAB, Honorary Advisor of the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration; Veronika Movchan, Academic Director, Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting; Amanda Paul, Deputy Head of the Europe in the World Programme, European Policy Centre; Marcin Nowacki, Vice President, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP), Warsaw (online)

Moderator: Svitlana Taran, Policy Analyst, Europe in the World Programme, European Policy Centre

The concept of gradual integration has long been embedded in the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement, providing for progressive access to the EU Single Market. While Ukraine has made significant progress over ten years of implementation, particularly in the energy sector, the goal of becoming an integral part of the Single Market has not yet been fully realised in other sectors.

Following the granting of EU candidate status, discussions on gradual economic integration have regained momentum. Accelerated integration across strategic sectors could serve mutual interests and incentivise Ukraine to advance its alignment with EU standards even before full accession.

This Policy Dialogue explored the opportunities and challenges of this approach under wartime conditions, taking into account Ukraine’s preparedness and lessons learned. Panellists discussed how to achieve tangible progress, identifying priority sectors and outlining the steps needed to reduce barriers, in line with the recommendations of Ukraine’s negotiating framework.

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