Public Finance Reforms and European Integration: EU4PFM and Partners Review 2026 Achievements and Set Priorities
On 12 November, the 17th Steering Committee meeting of EU4PFM Components 1, 3 and 4 took place. The EU Public Finance Management Support Programme for Ukraine is a key European partner supporting Ukraine’s public finance management reforms and European integration.
Following established practice, senior leadership of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the State Tax Service, the State Customs Service, the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine and EU4PFM experts reviewed the Programme’s achievements in 2026 and agreed on cooperation priorities for the next six months. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA), the Solidarity Fund PL and relevant departments of partner institutions.
In his opening remarks, Yuriy Draganchuk, Deputy Minister of Finance for European Integration, noted that the Ministry of Finance’s systematic cooperation with the EU4PFM Programme over the past eight years has supported almost all key areas of public finance management reform in Ukraine and is of strategic importance for Ukraine’s European integration.
“The EU4PFM Programme has become a key partner in transforming and strengthening our public finance system. The European Commission’s latest Enlargement Report recognised Ukraine’s good annual progress in two key areas of the Ministry of Finance’s work – taxation and the Customs Union. In particular, our joint work with EU4PFM experts helped secure the Verkhovna Rada’s adoption of the new Customs Code of Ukraine at first reading. These achievements are particularly important given that reforms must continue while ensuring the resilience of public finances and the uninterrupted operation of public institutions during the war,” emphasised Yuriy Draganchuk.
Jocelin Cornet, Head of Section for Public Finance, Business Support and Social Policies at the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, welcomed the participants, reflected on the results achieved in 2026 in light of the European Commission’s Enlargement Report, and outlined priorities for 2027:
“Public finance management is a central pillar of Ukraine’s path towards EU membership and reconstruction. Every major reform depends on it. The effective use of EU support, including the €50 billion Ukraine Facility and the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, relies on having a solid PFM system.
The European Commission’s latest annual Report sends an encouraging message. It recognises Ukraine’s capacity to implement PFM reforms, rates customs at a good level of preparation and notes good progress in taxation. These areas are all important parts of the accession negotiations.
I would also like to congratulate our Ukrainian partners, as well as the EU4PFM and EU Delegation teams on the work that has brought us to this stage. Our partnership has proved reliable, and it is important that we continue working together openly and frankly to support Ukraine in advancing its EU accession path and meeting the relevant PFM benchmarks.”
Presenting an overview of the Programme’s achievements, Jurgita Domeikiene, Team Leader of EU4PFM Components 1, 3 and 4, noted: “Despite russia’s ongoing aggression, Ukraine remains among the frontrunners in the EU enlargement process in areas related to public finance management. This achievement reflects the strength of our collective efforts and partnership”
Key results during the reporting period include:
- Adoption of the Law on Taxation of income from digital platforms and the introduction of international automatic exchange of tax information (DAC7) in Ukraine
- The Verkhovna Rada’s first-reading adoption of the draft law implementing Article 4 of the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) and the draft new Customs Code of Ukraine
- Approval by the State Customs Service of technical specifications for new customs IT systems based on the Union Customs Code (UCC), including systems for customs clearance and risk management
- Finalisation of the development of NCTS Phase 6, an upgraded version of the New Computerised Transit System
- Completion of two pilot projects on budget planning and internal control
- Government approval of the Public Finance Management Reform Strategy for 2026–2030.
“These achievements contributed positively to the European Commission’s assessment in the 2026 Enlargement Report, which highlighted Ukraine’s continued progress towards EU membership. Throughout the reporting period, the EU4PFM team worked closely with partner institutions to implement the activities envisaged under Ukraine’s National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis, with particular attention to meeting the established deadlines,” added Jurgita Domeikiene.
In 2026, particular attention was also paid to engaging businesses in the process of aligning Ukrainian legislation with EU law. EU4PFM supported information and consultation activities for businesses to help companies understand upcoming regulatory changes and prepare for new requirements arising from Ukraine’s EU integration process.
In turn, Oleksandr Hrubiian, Deputy Minister of Finance for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalisation, said:
“We are grateful to the EU4PFM team for its expert support and assistance in ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the Ministry of Finance’s digital infrastructure. In wartime, the reliable functioning of government information systems is particularly important for maintaining the continuity of management processes. We look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation and working together to further develop the Ministry’s digital capabilities.”
Priorities for 2027
In 2027, EU4PFM will focus on further aligning Ukraine’s tax and customs systems with EU standards, strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Finance on EU experience in budgeting and alignment with EU requirements and supporting people management and anti-corruption activities.
- Taxation. The Programme will support the Ministry of Finance and the State Tax Service in aligning national legislation with EU acquis and prepare technical documentation for key EU IT systems in the areas of VAT, excise duties and administrative cooperation.
- Customs. Once the Verkhovna Rada adopts the new Customs Code, EU4PFM will support an initial assessment of its compliance with EU legislation, the drafting of secondary legislation and the development of national IT systems for processing customs declarations and managing risks in line with ICS2 requirements.
- Budgeting and internal control. EU4PFM will support the Ministry of Finance in further developing the fiscal governance framework and strengthening the implementation of programme-based budgeting in practice. The Programme will also support practical implementation of internal control and managerial accountability based on the pilot at the Ministry of Justice and the updated Internal Audit Standards. Following the approval of the Public Sector Accounting Strategy, EU4PFM will support its implementation.
- People management and anti-corruption. Together with the State Customs Service, EU4PFM will work on its Anti-Corruption Programme and Code of Ethics. The Programme will also support the introduction of a Competency Framework and modern human resource management tools across all partner institutions.
EU4PFM will continue to support its partner institutions in implementing the reforms needed to modernise public finance management, strengthen institutional capacity and advance Ukraine’s path towards EU membership.
