EUAM Ukraine – Highlights and Achievements in 2024
December 31, 2024
2024 has been a significant year for the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine. Under a new and strengthened three-year mandate, the Mission marked its 10th anniversary of operations in Ukraine. Throughout the year, EUAM actively supported its partners in advancing reforms in the civilian security sector as well as providing crucial support to deal with the current wartime challenges.
With the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine in December 2023, the importance of EUAM’s support in advancing institutional reforms in Ukraine became even more pronounced. The formal start of negotiations in June and the adoption in August of the Action Plan to implement the Overarching Strategy for the Reform of the Entire Law Enforcement Sector (OAS) provide a strong basis for an acceleration of the necessary deep and lasting civilian security sector reforms. EUAM will continue efforts to support our partners on the path to the European Union.
Throughout the year, EUAM reinforced its efforts to support Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies in stabilising and reintegrating liberated and adjacent territories (LAT). The Mission played a central role in the development of an inter-agency stability policing concept, delivering specialised training to the personnel from the National Police and the National Guard, and establishing a sustainable pre-deployment training capability at the Ministry of Internal Affairs academies to train up to 40 000 LEA officers preparing for deployment to LAT. The recognition of these initiatives, including by High Representative Josep Borrell during a visit in February, highlights the significance of such initiatives.
EUAM continued to strengthen support for its partners in accountability efforts for international crimes and further establishment of the rule of law in Ukraine. The Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group intensified its work by reviewing cases of alleged international crimes, while Ukraine’s ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court demonstrates a clear commitment in aligning criminal legislation with the Rome Statute and international jurisprudence. In addition, the establishment of the Victim and Witness Coordination Centre within the Office of the Prosecutor General, opened in January 2024 with support from and advice provided by EUAM, highlights Ukraine’s commitment to safeguarding justice and upholding the rights of those affected by the war.
Integrated border management (IBM) remained another important priority for EUAM and partners alike.. The Working Arrangement between EUAM and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) was signed in February 2024, ensuring the further promotion of EU IBM standards in Ukraine. Ukraine revised its current IBM Strategy Action Plan, with support from EUAM, bringing Ukraine closer to the Schengen and Customs Union acquis. The Joint IBM Coordination Centre was officially established in April paving the way for strengthened inter-agency coordination and cooperation on IBM. A law on customs reform was approved by Parliament in September, and once implemented will mark an important first step on a long road towards rooting out corruption and creating a more transparent, accountable, and effective customs system.
Over the year, we have also been implementing projects funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Austria. These initiatives have strengthened our Ukrainian partners’ efforts to combat organised crime, particularly financial crimes, and have enhanced operations in liberated territories. The invaluable contributions of these governments to specialised projects through EUAM Ukraine have been instrumental in driving meaningful progress in these critical areas.
As EUAM reflects on its achievements in 2024, the Mission remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s reform journey and its aspirations for European integration. With a clear vision for the future, EUAM will continue to stand alongside its partners, driving meaningful progress in the civilian security sector and beyond.
