Vitalii Bezghin holds an online meeting with Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions

During the discussion, the minister outlined the Ministry’s updated mandate in regional policy, local government and territorial development. Minregion continues its systematic cooperation with the European Committee of the Regions under its new powers.

Near-term priorities include reform of the State Fund for Regional Development, preparations to work with EU cohesion funds, and a new State Regional Development Strategy for 2028–2034. In fact, communities and regions are already preparing to work with European funding.

Ukraine is also launching a Joint Consultative Committee, which will enable Ukrainian communities to cooperate directly and systematically with the European Committee of the Regions.

Considerable attention was given to communities’ needs ahead of winter, especially those under shelling: modular shelters, urgent repairs, housing and energy efficiency. At the same time, Ukrainian communities already have unique experience of operating during war, which they are ready to share with European partners.

“The European Committee of the Regions’ support in bringing European cities and regions into cooperation is very important to us. This concerns the resilience of communities and their ability to provide basic services to people during war. This is especially true of frontline areas, where needs grow every day. We count on support to expand such partnerships and engage European municipalities in practical assistance. For example, providing mobile shelters and school buses, and strengthening communities’ ability to receive internally displaced persons. It is important that direct links between communities become part of systematic European support for Ukraine,” emphasised Vitalii Bezghin.

Minregion also plans to take part in the European Week of Regions and Cities, which will be held in Brussels on 12–14 October. This is the main European platform for discussing regional and cohesion policy. The meeting addressed possible formats for the Ukrainian delegation’s participation and the representation of Ukrainian communities and regions.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to strengthen partnerships between Ukrainian and European communities and regions and to develop joint projects that communities need.