Regional dialogues between government representatives and the business community on key expectations and challenges within the context of Ukraine’s European integration process are continuing. A meeting was held in Lviv to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the transportation sector in this process.
The transportation sector ensures export logistics and the daily mobility of Ukrainians amid the war. At the same time, the process of integration into the European Union’s single transport area is underway. Ukraine is adapting its legislation, and practical changes are taking place in market access rules, requirements for carriers, social standards, technical regulations, and transport safety. It is important for businesses to understand the sequence and timeline of these changes, to be able to adapt their operational processes in advance, and to discuss practical issues arising during the European integration process directly with government officials. To discuss these and other issues, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, with the support of the Ukraine2EU program, is holding practical dialogues with representatives of key sectors of the Ukrainian economy.
During the meeting on September 24, participants discussed specific steps for implementing European integration standards covering negotiation chapters 14, “Transport Policy,” and 21, “Trans-European Networks.” The event brought together over 100 representatives from transportation companies, government agencies, international experts, and regulators.
Key topics included: the path and conditions for Ukrainian businesses to integrate into the EU Single Market; regulatory procedures and timelines; support from the European Union; social standards and technical requirements for the transportation sector; the safety of freight and passenger transport; the modernization of the transport fleet and the development of socially important transport services; and the role of local communities in the sector’s European integration.
“Our strategic goal is Ukraine’s full participation in the European Union’s common transport area and operating under common rules. An important part of this process is the development of TEN-T transport corridors, which are intended to ensure high-quality connections between Ukraine and EU member states as well as the Single Market. These transport links already provide Ukrainian businesses with access to the European market. At the same time, it is important for Ukrainian businesses to understand in advance what changes lie ahead and to have the opportunity to prepare for them. “By the time full integration is achieved, our transportation sector must be ready for competition and the new opportunities of the Single Market,” noted Vsevolod Chentsov, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.
The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of opening all negotiation clusters as soon as possible, particularly Cluster 4, which covers transport policy and trans-European transport networks and is of vital importance for Ukraine’s further integration into the EU’s transport area.
Ukraine’s integration into the EU’s common transport area will improve transport infrastructure and strengthen Ukraine’s logistical connectivity with European Union member states. At the same time, large-scale post-war reconstruction creates significant potential for investment in the transportation sector—from modernizing the vehicle fleet and developing border infrastructure to implementing modern technologies and European transportation standards.
“European integration in the road transport sector means concrete changes in the operations of Ukrainian carriers. We are already implementing some of the necessary measures; others will require preparation on the part of both the government and the business community. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance for us to engage with carriers even at the preparatory stage of these changes: to explain the rationale and timelines, listen to practical concerns, and work together to find solutions that will enable the Ukrainian transportation sector to operate fully in the European market,” emphasized Mykola Kalashnyk, Minister of Recovery, Infrastructure, and Transport of Ukraine.
European integration is already impacting the entire transportation sector and covers issues such as stricter road safety standards, the protection of passenger rights, decent working conditions, and compliance with drivers’ work and rest periods, modern requirements for carriers and vehicles, as well as the broader implementation of digital transportation systems. Ukraine has already taken the first step toward implementing European regulations by enacting Law No. 4337-IX. It establishes new requirements for carriers: transportation companies must demonstrate a permanent place of business, professional competence, financial capacity, and an impeccable business reputation. In addition, the law introduces the role of a transport manager—a responsible individual who organizes transportation, monitors compliance with legislation, and must demonstrate professional competence. EU requirements regarding the monitoring of drivers’ working and rest periods are also currently being implemented.
The next step should be the introduction of licensing for domestic freight transportation. This will establish uniform rules for all market participants, promote fair competition, reduce the shadow economy, and improve the quality of transportation services.
“It is impossible to ensure the full integration of the transportation sector into the EU without high-quality legislative work. It is important to us that the decisions adopted by Parliament are understandable to businesses and take into account the real operating conditions of Ukrainian carriers. That is precisely why such direct dialogue with the industry is needed even at the stage of preparing and implementing legislative changes. Our task is to consistently align Ukrainian regulations with European ones while simultaneously creating conditions under which Ukrainian carriers can be competitive in the EU’s single market,” said Yuriy Kisel, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.
Key transport and logistics routes between Ukraine and the European Union pass through Lviv Oblast, where the event took place. Currently, the M-09 Ternopil–Lviv–Rava-Ruska highway is being modernized in the region, border infrastructure is being developed, and joint control mechanisms are being implemented. One of the key areas of focus is the development of a 1,435-mm-gauge railway track that meets European standards. For the first phase of the “Mostyska II–Sknyliv” project, the European Commission provided 73.5 million euros in grant support under the Connecting Europe Facility. This is another step toward improving rail connections with the EU, creating new opportunities for passengers and exporters, and reducing the burden on road border crossings.
“For the Lviv region, European integration in the transportation sector means concrete changes in infrastructure, the operation of border crossing points, rail connections, and logistics—changes that should make the movement of people and goods faster and more efficient. At the same time, infrastructure is only part of this process. Businesses need clear rules, predictable logistics, faster border crossings, sufficient capacity, and access to European financial instruments. That is precisely why such dialogues are important: the government must not only implement European standards but also listen to the businesses that will operate under them,” emphasized Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Lviv Regional State Administration.
Dialogues with the business community, which take place specifically at the regional level, allow the process of European integration to be broken down into concrete decisions and opportunities for Ukrainian companies. The initiative creates a structured space for business representatives where they can share their thoughts, ask practical questions, and better understand how European integration affects a company’s operations, planning, and future development.
Jakob Ulrich, a leading expert on communication and civil society engagement for the Ukraine2EU program, noted: “European integration is not just about harmonizing legislation, but also about the readiness of Ukrainian companies to operate under new rules. To this end, it is important to start discussing specific changes, potential challenges, and solutions with the business community today—solutions that will help them adapt to the requirements of the European market. Regional dialogues provide an opportunity to hear directly from companies on the ground and incorporate their experiences into Ukraine’s preparations for EU membership. It is precisely this practical and open format of engagement that Ukraine2EU supports.”
Despite the war, Ukrainian businesses continue to integrate into the EU Single Market. In the transportation sector, this path means a higher level of safety and protection of passengers’ and drivers’ rights, as well as clearer rules and benefits of the EU’s common transport area for Ukrainian carriers.
The event was organized by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine in collaboration with Ukraine2EU—the European Union’s flagship program supporting Ukraine’s preparations for accession and future EU membership.
According to information from the website https://eu-ua.kmu.gov.ua