The recent hybrid meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Committee in Trade Configuration (ACTC), which took place shortly after the Commission’s recommendation to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, marked another significant step in fostering our bilateral relations. Held in Brussels on 30 November, the meeting, led by DG Trade and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, delved into a wide range of topics, providing a comprehensive overview of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) implementation. 

Several topics under GROW's remit were discussed, including one of the key outcomes of this ACTC: the adoption of the decisions on the positive assessment of phases 1 and 2 of Ukraine’s legislative approximation to the EU public procurement acquis. This achievement reflects the commitment of both parties to strengthening ties and aligning Ukraine's legislation with European acquis. The EU appreciated Ukraine's efforts, but urged consideration of several recommendations for further progress in the area of concessions and public-private partnerships, as well as in the upcoming amendments to the Public Procurement Law.

Moreover, acknowledging progress in the process leading to an Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance (ACAA), the EU and Ukraine celebrated the conclusions of pre-assessment missions. Ukraine committed to focus on the implementation of the recommendations of the pre-assessment missions, including alignment with the market surveillance legislation and re-instating market surveillance in Ukraine. 
Another discussion relevant for GROW was the one on postal services under which Ukraine's efforts to align with the EU legislation were recognized and welcomed. The EU encouraged further progress in regulatory approximation with the Postal Services Directive and the Regulation on cross-border parcel delivery services. Although institutional capacity building for the postal sector is not easy in the current circumstances, Ukraine committed to updating the EU on its progress. 

Overall, the 8th ACTC meeting showcased the collaborative spirit between the EU and Ukraine, emphasizing their dedication to fostering a robust and mutually beneficial trade relationship, in parallel with and reinforcing the accession process.