In a significant move to support Ukraine’s path towards EU membership, the Swedish Government has announced a major initiative to strengthen the country’s negotiating capacity. The Stockholm School of Economics will receive SEK 3 million (approximately USD 320,000) via the Swedish Institute to train Ukrainian civil servants and diplomats in negotiation skills.
The training program, launched on May 30th in Kyiv and lasting 18 months, aims to equip staff in Ukraine’s public administration who work directly with EU membership negotiations. In close collaboration with the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, the program will focus on developing the skills necessary for successful negotiation.
“Sweden continues to stand by Ukraine’s side on its path towards EU membership, because it belongs in the EU family,” said Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa. “The new support will enable the training of civil servants who can strengthen Ukraine’s reform efforts and bring the country into the EU.”
This project builds upon an existing collaboration between the Stockholm School of Economics and the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, which was adopted in Sweden’s 2023 Strategy for Reconstruction and Reform Cooperation with Ukraine. The strategy, implemented by Sida, the Swedish Institute (SI), and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), aims to provide robust and long-term support to Ukraine’s reconstruction and reform efforts.
Ukraine submitted its application for EU membership just four days after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The country was granted candidate status 16 months later, a testament to the importance of the EU’s role in shaping Ukraine’s future and Ukrainian sovereignty.
Sweden’s support for Ukraine is part of its larger bilateral development assistance strategy, which prioritizes reconstruction, reform, and resilience-building efforts in Ukraine. By strengthening Ukraine’s negotiating capacity, Sweden aims to enhance the country’s freedom, resilience, and economic prosperity while promoting EU integration.
The 18-month training program will equip Ukrainian civil servants with essential negotiation skills, enabling them to effectively participate in EU membership negotiations and drive meaningful reforms. This initiative underscores Sweden’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s democratic development and resistance against external pressures.
In conclusion, Sweden’s new initiative to boost Ukraine’s EU membership negotiation skills is a significant step towards promoting the country’s path towards EU integration. By investing in Ukrainian civil servants’ capacity-building, Sweden seeks to foster a more resilient and prosperous future for Ukraine within the European Union.
- SEK 3 million (approximately USD 320,000) allocated by the Swedish Government to train Ukrainian civil servants and diplomats in negotiation skills.
- The Stockholm School of Economics will collaborate with the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine to provide training on negotiation skills for staff in Ukraine’s public administration.
- The 18-month training program aims to equip Ukrainian civil servants with essential negotiation skills, enabling them to effectively participate in EU membership negotiations.