On August 10, 2023, in the online mode the 5th Steering Committee meeting for the Twinning Project “Approximation of national legislation of Ukraine in the fields of state supervision (control) of GMOs in open systems, protection of plant variety rights, and seed and seedling production in line with EU norms and standards” (hereinafter – Project), the beneficiary of which is State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection (hereinafter – State Service) took place.
The aim of the Project is to contribute to addressing shortcomings in the sphere of state supervision (control) of compliance with safety measures and spread of GMOs in open systems, protection of plant variety rights, and seed and seedling production.
The Project is being implemented jointly by authorities in the field of phytosanitary in Poland, Latvia, and the Netherlands.
In his welcoming speech, Vadym Chaikovskyi, BC Project Leader, welcomed the participants of the meeting and emphasized the significant achievements made during the last reporting period.
In turn, Kristīne Lomakina, EU MS Project Leader, addressed the participants with an opening speech and expressed her gratitude to the partners for their support and effective cooperation at all stages of the Project.
In addition, Andrii Chelombitko, Director of the Department of Phytosanitary Safety, Control of Seeds and Seedlings of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, in his opening remarks focused on the success of the Project, which was achieved despite the difficulties of martial law in Ukraine.
During the event, Modris Frikmanis, Resident Twinning Advisor, provided an overview of the priority areas of activity, nothing that this reporting period focused on legislative changes, and presented the results of the implemented activities for the reporting period under the three components. In particular, within the last reporting period, amendments and changes were submitted to the legislation of Ukraine to effectively approximate it to the legislation of the EU member states in the field of state supervision (control) of GMOs in open systems, protection of plant variety rights, and seed and seedling production. The Resident Project Advisor presented the results of a study visit to Latvia, Poland, and the Netherlands, emphasizing the achievements in the analysis of the laboratory system in Ukraine. For his part, Modris Frikmanis, focused on increasing the number of activities and experts involved and consultations held to ensure the transparency of the Project.
In turn, Lea Greisler, Finance Manager, presented a quarterly financial report and information on communication activities within the Project.
The meeting included discussion and approval of the quarterly report № 6 and the work plan for the next reporting period by the Project experts and partners and emphasized the necessity of further harmonization of the Ukrainian regulatory framework in line with the commitments assumed by Ukraine in accordance with the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
The meeting was attended by Project experts from European Union Member States, representatives of the European Union Delegation to Ukraine, and State Service.
On behalf of the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union Olena Honcharuk, Head of the Twinning Coordination Division of the Unit of Twinning Programme Administration Office, and Olha Vozhdaienko, Senior Consultant of the Twinning Coordination Division of the Unit of Twinning Programme Administration Office activities ensuring took part in the meeting.
For reference: according to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ukraine “On Approval of the Procedure for Initiation, Preparation and Implementation of the Twinning Projects” as of 11 October 2016 No 700 the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service coordinates the implementation of the institution building instrument of the European Union Twinning in Ukraine. Furthermore, in accordance with relevant legal acts the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service is the coordinator of institution building instrument TAIEX implementation in Ukraine. In order to provide effective coordination of Twinning and TAIEX the Twinning Program Administration Office in Ukraine was established, its functions are performed by the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union.
