Ukraine 2027 – setting a new perspective?

5 years after the Maidan uprising we take a look at Ukraine's impressive progress. How can European partners uphold the momentum for reform and foster further EU integration of Ukraine? 

Guests

Andrius Kubilius, MP, Seimas & Former Prime Minister of Lithuania
Gediminas Kirkilas, MP, Deputy Speaker of Seimas & Former Prime Minister of Lithuania
Michael Siebert, Director for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, Federal Foreign Office

Chaired by

Gustav Gressel, Senior Policy Fellow, ECFR

 

RSVP to [email protected] until Friday, 25 January

The European Council on Foreign Relations and the Embassy of Lithuania to Germany are delighted to invite you to a debate on the Lithuanian initiative Ukraine 2027 and the future of EU-Ukraine relations.

Over the last five years, Ukraine has made wide-ranging progress on reforms on the rule of law, privatisation, corporate governance, energy and agricultural sectors, deregulation, tax and customs. Kyiv has even rebuilt its army from near destruction. And yet, reform in the security sector, judiciary, and public media have proven difficult to implement given vested interests. In the past, European and American pressure on Kyiv, combined with strict conditionalities, had facilitated reforms in Kyiv and provided the necessary support for post-Maidan reformists to advance their agenda. But increasingly, Ukraine fatigue in the West and the emergence of other crises have eroded much of that international support.

The challenge now is to maintain momentum on the reform agenda, especially in view of the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections later this year. How can the EU and the international community, with Germany preparing for the EU presidency in 2020, maintain an incentive-based approach towards Ukrainian reforms and investments into economic and social development?

Among EU instruments to foster economic growth, building investment capacity and investor confidence in the Ukrainian economy is also important. It is equally important to support ordinary Ukrainians in a visible and reachableto way keep public awareness receptive for reform implementation. Can Europeans make the most of this  window of opportunity (Germany holding the EU presidency in 2020, Poland in 2025 and Lithuania in 2027) to take another step forward and be more strategic in encouraging Ukraine’s EU integration path?

 

Tuesday, 29 January, 18:00-19:30
Embassy of Lithuania, Charitéstr. 9, 10117 Berlin


 
With your registration you agree to the publication of the participation list to the other participants. 
Please note that we may use and release pictures, and/or video and audio taken during the event for reports, on social media and/or in future marketing materials. By registering to this event you agree that photographs or sound or video recordings taken during the event could include recognizable images or voices of those in attendance may be posted online. The organiser is not responsible for individual attendee’s use of your image or likeness.