Joint communiqué of the Netherlands and Ukraine following the first intergovernmental conference between the Netherlands and Ukraine on 12 April 2025

Publication | 14-04-2025

1. The first Ukrainian-Dutch Intergovernmental Conference took place in Lviv, Ukraine on 12 April 2025.

2. The Conference was established by the Governments of Ukraine and the Netherlands to build on existing cooperation, further develop bilateral relations and support Ukraine in implementing reforms and fulfilling relevant EU accession criteria, with a view to future membership of the Union. It was agreed that the Conference will meet annually, alternating between the Netherlands and Ukraine.

3. The Government of Ukraine was represented by the Deputy Prime Minister of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration – Minister of Justice, Ms Olha Stefanishyna and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrii Sybiha. The Government of the Netherlands was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Caspar Veldkamp. Both Governments were further represented by Senior Officials from Line Ministries and government institutions from both sides, forming thematic Working Groups.

4. During the Conference, the Netherlands reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter. The Netherlands reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters, and Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence and its efforts aimed to restore the comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

5. Ukraine expressed its appreciation for the sixteen packages of EU restrictive measures and both sides reiterated that work has to continue on sanctions, including by strengthening their implementation and preventing circumvention, and by adopting further sanctions. Ukraine expressed its readiness to provide all necessary information to facilitate legal processes. Both sides agreed to work together along with EU member states to investigate possibilities to take additional measures, in accordance with international law, to instrumentalise Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine.

6. The Netherlands welcomed Ukraine’s strong commitment to reforms and the progress made so far towards its future within the EU, despite the full-scale Russian war of aggression. Both Governments recalled the merit-based nature of the EU accession process and the importance of the Copenhagen criteria. The Netherlands reiterated that it stands ready to support Ukraine in meeting the criteria for EU accession, including though the Conference. The Netherlands is continuing to provide trainings aimed at strengthening the capacity of Ukrainian public administration in the context of the EU accession process.

7. Both parties underlined the importance of the ongoing preparations for opening negotiating clusters. Both sides welcomed the completion of the bilateral screening meetings of three clusters, looked forward to its conclusion and to the next steps in Ukraine’s accession process by opening all clusters, starting with the “Fundamentals” cluster as soon as possible in 2025, when conditions are met. Ukraine has reiterated its unwavering commitment to implement all opening benchmarks as provided by the negotiating framework immediately after the request of the EU side.

8. Both parties reaffirmed the importance of Ukraine’s EU membership perspective for the stability, security and prosperity of the European continent. Both parties will continue to encourage further advancing gradual integration in a merit-based and reversible manner, subject to relevant EU acquis alignment. Both parties underlined Ukraine’s EU-aligned reconstruction and modernisation as priorities of the bilateral agenda.

9. Looking forward, Ukraine and the Netherlands committed to working closely together on the following areas of common interest:

10. On the Rule of Law, Ukraine and the Netherlands agreed to continue periodic cooperation on key areas within the “Fundamentals” cluster of the EU accession process. This includes expert-level meetings to exchange best practices on policy development, reform implementation and alignment of Ukrainian legislation with the EU acquis – particularly in the areas of the judiciary and anti-corruption. The Netherlands expressed its support for Ukraine’s efforts to adopt and implement the Rule of Law Roadmap. In addition, the Netherlands offered expertise and advice to support Ukraine in meeting the criteria for joining the OECD Working Group on Bribery and the Anti-Bribery Convention. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, through its MATRA programme, will continue to provide support to civil society organizations in Ukraine working in the fields of rule of law and good governance.

11. Ukraine and the Netherlands reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in ensuring Accountability for Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. This includes continued support for Ukraine’s national investigations, cooperation with the International Criminal Court and joint efforts to advance the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. It also includes support for the Register of Damage for Ukraine, the work towards a claims commission and subsequently a compensation fund. In addition, the Netherlands offered to provide support for the harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with wider European and international standards. The Netherlands and Ukraine will continue to work jointly through the Dialogue Group to coordinate and enhance synergies between initiatives on accountability, including addressing the lack of funding caused by recent developments for Ukraine’s capacity to sustain its accountability efforts.

12. On Agriculture, Ukraine and the Netherlands agreed on the main priorities for bilateral cooperation in a Joint Statement. This includes exchanging experiences on the implementation of EU standards, support for agricultural education and support for the transfer of technologies in priority sectors. The Governments welcomed the initiative of the agricultural associations from the Netherlands and Ukraine for direct dialogue and their signing of a Joint Statement. The Governments expressed their readiness to support further dialogue between the associations. 

13. On Energy, Ukraine and the Netherlands agreed to deepen the cooperation on a resilient, sustainable and competitive energy system for Ukraine. In order to fulfil this, the Netherlands offered technical assistance to Ukraine in preparation of the integration of the Ukrainian electricity market into the European energy market. In addition, the Netherlands offered to initiate a working visit for Dutch SMEs and businesses in the field of sustainable energy to Ukraine in the near future.

14. On Social Affairs, Ukraine and the Netherlands agreed to organize structural cooperation on subjects relating to social security and social services, exchanging best practices, lessons learned and providing technical advice on policy design and implementation. In particular, the cooperation will support Ukraine’s Better Care Reform for children and the deinstitutionalization reform agenda to ensure the provision of community-based services for adults with disabilities and older persons in line with the EU acquis. The countries agreed to share lessons on the implementation of the EU Child Guarantee. In addition, Ukraine and the Netherlands will exchange good practices on policies to support persons with disabilities and ensure their integration in the labour market. The countries have also agreed to explore the modalities for organizing and implementing joint pilot projects.

15. The Conference reaffirmed the strategic and forward-looking nature of the partnership between Ukraine and the Netherlands. Both Governments reiterated their unwavering commitment to deepening cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, in the spirit of shared values and a united European future.

16. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Conference should take place in the Netherlands in Spring 2026.