On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine hosted an important event - the first meeting of the Steering Committee Meeting of the Twinning project entitled “Institutional Support to the State Service for Maritime, Inland Waterway Transport and Shipping of Ukraine in the Implementation of the EU Acquis, Norms and Standards on Maritime Safety”. This project is being implemented jointly with the Italian maritime and river transport regulatory authorities and has become an important step for Ukraine on its way to European standards.
The meeting began with a welcoming speech by Greco Giovanni, Permanent Advisor of the Twinning project. He emphasized the strategic importance of implementing Component 1, which aims to integrate European standards in the field of maritime transportation. Even at this stage, the ambitiousness of the plans and the desire to achieve maximum efficiency in the modernization of Ukrainian shipping are already evident.
Italy, a country with extensive experience in regulating maritime transport, has become a reliable partner for Ukraine. Italian experts are ready to share not only knowledge, but also practical experience in areas that are critical to ensuring shipping safety and developing relevant systems. That is why Gacci Massimo, Project Manager of the Italian Academy of Navigation of the Italian Coast Guard, presented Component 2. It covers the development and improvement of the maritime search and rescue system, which is essential for saving lives in emergency situations. The project promises to be not only a technical tool, but also a platform for ongoing exchange of experience between Ukraine and Italy, contributing to the improvement of safety on the water.
Mykola Melnyk, Head of the Maritime Transport Department of the Ukrainian Maritime and River Transport Authority, emphasized the importance of this project for Ukraine. He noted that he was honored to be part of the team implementing this project and expressed hope for fruitful cooperation with Italian colleagues.
Svitlana Didkivska, Project Manager at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, highlighted the importance of supporting such initiatives and wished the participants success in further implementing their plans. Her speech concluded the meeting on an optimistic note, emphasizing the importance of international partnership in the development of Ukraine's maritime infrastructure.
The main goal of the Twinning project is to ensure that Ukraine fulfills international obligations in the field of port state, flag state and coastal state control, maritime education and the protection of human life at sea. This not only raises Ukraine's prestige in the international arena, but also contributes to economic growth and stability in the transportation sector.
Marta Mohilevska, Chief Consultant of Twinning Coordination Division of the Unit of Twinning Programme Administration Office, also took part in the event on behalf of the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the EU Standards.
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.
