ICO “Environment-People-Law” (EPL) continues to cooperate with the European Commission on issues of institutional capacity of government bodies in the field of environmental protection and Ukraine’s fulfillment of its obligations within the framework of the process of accession to the European Union.
In response to EPL’s appeal regarding the institutional capacity in the environmental sector of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the European Commission expressed concern about the trends related to the reduction of the human resources potential of the environmental sector of public administration.
The letter from Davor Percan, Head of Unit, Bilateral & Regional Environmental Cooperation, DG Environment of the European Commission, states that the reduction in the number of employees of the environmental unit of such a ministry is a worrying factor, especially given the need not only to ensure the approximation of Ukrainian legislation to EU law, but also to maintain the proper functioning of administrative processes and implementation of state policy in the area of environmental protection.
The European Commission has emphasized that sufficient institutional capacity is one of the key elements for the successful completion of the negotiation process under Chapter 27 “Environment and Climate Change”. This means providing authorities with qualified specialists capable of effectively implementing environmental policy at both national and regional levels.
In its letter, the European Commission also confirmed its intention to continue monitoring the situation, support measures to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ukrainian authorities in the environmental sphere, and maintain close cooperation with representatives of civil society.
For EPL, the issue of proper staffing and institutional support for the bodies responsible for formation and implementation of state environmental policy is one of the priorities. In conditions of full-scale war, large-scale environmental consequences of the armed aggression and simultaneous preparation for EU membership, it is vital for Ukraine to strengthen the institutional capacity of the environmental protection sector instead of weakening it.
EPL will continue to interact with European institutions, government bodies, and the public to ensure the proper functioning of the environmental protection system and Ukraine’s fulfillment of European integration obligations in the environmental sphere.
