This week, a significant meeting took place in Brussels between representatives of Ukraine and the European Commission. The discussion focused on the pre-screening of Ukraine’s railway transport legislation, an essential stage of EU integration. Ukraine’s Accession to the EU involves aligning transport policies with European standards. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Ukraine's Accession to the EU

Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Serhiy Derkach, led the Ukrainian delegation. The discussions highlighted new legislative initiatives being developed by the ministry. Special attention was given to the draft law “On the System and Features of the Railway Transport Market in Ukraine,” submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers. This document proposes a market model based on European standards.

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Derkach emphasized the importance of reform, stating that railway transport plays a strategic role in Ukraine’s economy. He added that the railway system has become critically important for businesses and citizens since the start of the war. Modernizing infrastructure and introducing transparent rules remain key priorities to ensure economic efficiency.

The proposed draft law includes initiatives to open the transport market for private businesses. This move aims to foster competition, implement fair tariffs, and improve service quality. These reforms will maximize infrastructure utilization, aligning with EU directives and meeting public demands in Ukraine.

EU integration requires harmonizing Ukraine’s legislation with Directive 2012/34/EU. This directive establishes principles for creating a single European railway area, ensuring openness and competitiveness. Simplifying market access, fair distribution of infrastructure capacities, and improving transport services remain central goals of the reforms.

Additionally, implementing the norms of Directives (EU) 2016/797 and 2016/798 remains a crucial task. These directives address safety and interoperability issues in railway transport. Ukraine’s legislation is gradually adapting to standards that ensure traffic reliability, establish accident investigation mechanisms, and provide technical oversight.

The European Commission acknowledged Ukraine’s efforts in reforming the railway sector. Pre-screening confirms Ukraine’s readiness for further EU integration steps, strengthening national potential. This process bridges Ukrainian and European norms while preserving national priorities and focusing on long-term objectives.

As previously reported, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft law introducing a new model for the railway transport market. This initiative aims to improve service accessibility for passengers and businesses, strengthening economic ties and bringing Ukraine closer to EU standards.

Benefits of Ukraine’s Accession to the EU for Railway Transport

Ukraine’s Accession to the EU opens new opportunities for modernizing railway infrastructure. Preparation for reforms is actively underway.

Ukraine’s Preparation for EU Integration in the Transport Sector

Harmonizing legislation and implementing European standards create a stable foundation for developing the transport sector.

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