Oleksandr Korniienko: The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine plays key role in aligning national legislation with European standards
21 November 2025, 16:35
First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Korniienko, participated in the thematic dialogue «Regions’ Readiness for Ukraine’s EU Integration», held on November 20 as a side event of the Brussels EU Enlargement Forum.
The event was organized by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, with support from the Ukraine2EU Program. Government officials, members of Parliament, regional authorities, as well as senior advisors and experts from both the EU and Ukraine discussed practical steps for implementing the conclusions and recommendations of the 2025 EU Enlargement Package across Ukraine, and how regions can prepare for the opportunities and obligations associated with EU membership.
During his speech, First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko outlined Ukraine’s progress on the European integration path and emphasized the Verkhovna Rada’s role in this process. He noted that the Parliament is a key institution for aligning national legislation with European standards. «This is not merely about translating directives; it is a comprehensive process requiring not only sectoral changes but deep structural reforms,» he said.
Korniienko addressed representatives of regional authorities and local communities, stressing that the success of European integration reforms depends on their capacity. He emphasized that European integration also entails local-level changes to implement European standards throughout Ukraine.
«I urged communities to make greater use of cohesion policies and Interreg programs. Once again, I stressed the importance of joint efforts, as this collaborative approach brings us closer to the ultimate goal — EU membership,» concluded the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada.