Vice-President for Promoting the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, signed two Arrangements for Cooperation with Ukraine on behalf of the Commission in the context of the EU’s support to Ukraine as the country deals with the consequences of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression.
Stronger cooperation in education
After having met Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, Vice-President Schinas and Minister Lisovyi jointly signed an Arrangement for Cooperation on Education between the European Commission and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Both parties agreed to strengthen and further develop cooperation and dialogue in this field.
Through this arrangement, the Commission has reiterated the standing invitation to Ukrainian authorities to participate in the working groups and peer learning activities under the European Education Area Strategic Framework. This will allow Ukraine to further align with the EU’s acquis in the area of education and, amongst others, to facilitate the mutual recognition of academic qualifications. The Commission has also opened up participation in the Eurydice Network to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to get a deeper understanding of the respective education systems and their cooperation in education.
Vice-President Schinas encouraged Ukrainians to take full advantage of the opportunities offered to them through the Erasmus+ Programme, from strengthened cooperation between schools to the potential of the Commission’s online platforms on education, most notably eTwinning, the online community of European teachers and educators. The Commission also welcomed further efforts by Ukraine to encourage schooling in the EU Member States.
In addition, the Vice-President also announced the extension of Ukraine’s participation in the EU’s flagship Erasmus+ programme. The Commission is opening up the possibility for Ukrainian organisations to participate – as of 2024 – in international cooperation projects in the framework of Erasmus+ Capacity Building Actions in the field of Youth and Sport.
Stronger cooperation on health
Vice-President Schinas and Ukraine’s Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko jointly signed an Arrangement for Cooperation on Health between the European Commission and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Both parties agreed to strengthen and further develop cooperation and dialogue in this field.
The Russian aggression against Ukraine has had devastating consequences for the health of thousands of people, destroying vital lifesaving healthcare facilities and health systems. Through this arrangement, the Commission reiterates its standing support for Ukraine’s healthcare system, as well as for those who have to flee the country. Under the EU’s MEDEVAC system, more than 2,250 patients have already been evacuated from Ukraine for medical treatment in the EU and EEA countries.
The six areas of cooperation of the Arrangement are: mental health, access to healthcare and catering to the health needs of refugees, the return of patients to Ukraine and strengthening its rehabilitation system, enhancing the work of Ukraine on rare diseases and continued funding through the EU4Health programme.
Going forward, the work will focus on both urgent and long-term health priorities, such as resilience to cross-border threats to health, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe and digital health.
See also: 🔴 LIVE UPDATES | Humanitarian response to Ukraine crisis
