A meeting of the Transport Negotiations Working Group, which is preparing Ukraine's position in the upcoming negotiations on accession to the European Union, has taken place, the CFTS portal reports.

"The goal of this group is technical preparation for the official screening and determination of Ukraine's negotiating position. Our task is to identify critical points and problems that may arise during the transition to European transport standards, as well as to propose realistic ways to overcome them. Integration into the EU's single transport area is not just about legislation. It is about mobility, new business opportunities, the labor market, and the safety of our citizens," said Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister of Development of Communities and Territories Aliona Shkrum, who heads the group.

The current state of the preparation for the official screening of the legislation on negotiating chapters 14 (transport policy) and 21 (trans-European networks) was presented at the meeting. This screening will take place in Brussels on 24-27 June 2025. Members of the working group discussed the preparation of the structure of the presentation, which will cover all aspects of the transport sector - from road to river transport - as well as issues such as road safety, passenger rights, environmentally friendly transport, and anti-corruption measures.

"In the road transport sector, we have made significant progress in adapting to the requirements of the European Union. First and foremost, I am talking about the recently adopted Law No. 4337. It allows us to establish a set of standards for obtaining transport licenses and, most importantly, it enables our carriers to be competitive in the EU market. It is equally important to regulate public transport and update technical regulations, and we are actively working on this," said Deputy Minister of Development of Communities and Territories Serhii Derkach.

The participants in the meeting paid special attention to the development of merchant shipping and inland navigation, which are crucial for supporting exports in wartime.

"Today, maritime logistics is a key element of Ukraine's foreign economic activity. This concerns not only the economy, but also the food security of our country and the entire region. That is why we need to harmonize legislation so that Ukrainian ports can be fully integrated into European logistics networks and operate under unified rules," said Deputy Minister of Development of Communities and Territories Andrii Kashuba.

They also discussed the development of rail transport, including the introduction of the European railway gauge and the adaptation of national legislation to EU requirements.

"Today, railways play a key role in wartime logistics: in the delivery of humanitarian aid and military supplies, and in the export of goods. Therefore, the development of railway transport and its integration into the EU transport system is a strategic task for the country. This is the aim of the draft law ‘On the System and the Peculiarities of the Functioning of Ukraine’s Railway Transport Market (No. 12142).’ When implementing European legislation, it is important not only to ensure its functioning in accordance with European principles, but also to ensure stable and efficient operation of railway transport," said Deputy Minister of Development of Communities and Territories Oleksii Balesta.

One of the main topics of discussion was the identification of risks associated with the implementation of certain EU directives and the identification of ways to overcome these risks. This will form the basis of Ukraine's negotiating position and determine possible transition periods for adaptation to European norms.

The working group also reviewed six European integration bills registered in the Verkhovna Rada, which are aimed at bringing Ukraine's transport sector closer to EU standards. These include bills on railway transport, on socially important passenger transportation, technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, etc.