On April 17, 2024, selection meetingof Twinning project proposals from the European Union Member States that have expressed a desire to become partners of the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine (hereinafter - Shipping Administration) in the implementation of the Twinning project “Institutional Support to the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine in the Implementation of the EU Acquis, Norms and Standards on Maritime Safety” took place in the hybrid format.

The aim of the project is to ensure the implementation of Ukraine's international obligations in the field of port state, flag state and coastal state control, maritime education, and protection of human life at sea.

The opening remarks were delivered by Tiina Hakkari, Finance and Contracts Assistant of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, who welcomed the participants and introduced the agenda.

In turn, potential partners from the consortium of countries consisting of Spain, Germany and Poland presented the experience of sea and river transport functioning in the countries they represent and submitted proposals for future cooperation within the framework of the Twinning project to the evaluation committee. In addition, the potential project leader introduced the team, outlining the experience of each of its members. 

At the same time, potential partners from a consortium of countries consisting of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia expressed their support for Ukraine and presented their experience in the field of water transport regulation and management, focusing on the institutions that regulate issues in the relevant field. Meanwhile, the representatives of the countries noted the significant potential of the team members, presenting their main achievements.

In addition, representatives of the European Union Member State Italy, as potential partners, emphasized the importance of partnership with Ukraine within the Twinning project and submitted proposals for possible cooperation. The potential project leader also presented team members with significant experience in the field of maritime and river transport regulation and expert support under the Twinning and TAIEX instruments.

The meeting was attended by potential project leaders and RTA from the mentioned countries, representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, Shipping Administration and other stakeholders.

On behalf of the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union Olena Honcharuk, Head of Projects Management Unit took part in the meeting.

For reference: according to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ukraine “On Approval of the Procedure for Initiation, Preparation and Implementation of the Twinning Projects” as of 11 October, 2016 No 700 the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service coordinates the implementation of the institution building instrument of the European Union Twinning in Ukraine. Furthermore, in accordance with relevant legal acts the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service is the coordinator of institution building instrument TAIEX implementation in Ukraine. In order to provide effective coordination of Twinning and TAIEX the Twinning Program Administration Office in Ukraine was established, its functions are performed by the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union.