President Mallia discusses deepening trade and economic relations with Ukrainian employers' delegation

On 26 March 2025, President Stefano Mallia met a delegation from the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FEU) for a focused exchange on strengthening EU-Ukraine economic cooperation in the context of Ukraine’s candidate status for EU membership.

The Ukrainian delegation presented the key findings of their recently published study titled “Strategic guidelines for deepening trade and economic relations between Ukraine and EU countries in the context of Ukraine's official status as a candidate for EU Membership.” The research was initiated by the FEU with the support of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) and represents a consolidated vision from over 60 Ukrainian companies and 17 industry associations.

President Stefano Mallia reaffirmed the Employers' Group’s unwavering support for Ukraine, noting the nation’s remarkable resilience and economic engagement amidst ongoing challenges. He emphasized that the EESC, and particularly the Employers’ Group, remains committed to fostering dialogue with Ukrainian counterparts to support the country's integration into the EU's economic and regulatory frameworks.

The FEU’s presentation provided an in-depth overview of Ukraine’s current trade relations with the EU, underscoring the strategic importance of continued cooperation. In 2023, Ukraine exported goods worth USD 23.4 billion to the EU, accounting for 64.6% of its total exports. These figures reflect not only the growing integration of the Ukrainian economy into the European market but also its value to the EU, with the positive trade balance exceeding EUR 10 billion in the EU's favour.

The position paper put forward by the FEU proposes a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at enhancing bilateral trade, improving sectoral cooperation, and addressing pressing regulatory and financial barriers. Among the main points were:

• Review and amendment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA): to increase tariff quotas and adapt to market realities for Ukrainian exports.
• Participation in EU strategic initiatives: Including alignment with the European Green Deal, strengthening industrial partnerships, and contributing to EU strategic autonomy, particularly in sectors such as defence, IT, agriculture, and energy.
• Signing the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA): as a key step to remove non-tariff barriers and integrate Ukrainian industry into EU value chains.
• Extension of trade preferences and phased implementation of new EU requirements: including CBAM and REACH, to ensure Ukrainian producers are not disproportionately affected while adapting to EU standards.
• Cooperation on food security and infrastructure recovery: with Ukraine positioned as a key partner for ensuring European food supply and participating in the post-war reconstruction effort.

The meeting ended with an expression of mutual appreciation for continued dialogue and collaboration. Both sides acknowledged the importance of strengthening employer-to-employer cooperation and using platforms like the EESC to support policy coherence, sustainable economic recovery, and long-term EU-Ukraine integration.

This exchange builds on a longstanding partnership between the EESC and the FEU, reinforcing the vital role of social partners in Ukraine’s European path and in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and competitive future for both economies.