News item | 27-03-2026 | 10:43
The annual ‘Lviv Conference’ starts on Tuesday, a conference organized by the Netherlands and Ukraine aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation and support in Ukraine’s EU accession process. This year the second edition will take place in Breda, after it took place for the first time in Lviv last year. The conference will be opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, and the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka. A business forum will take place beforehand, in which the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, will participate.
Minister Berendsen: “Countering Russian aggression goes hand-in-hand with our support for a democratic Ukraine with a well-functioning rule of law. Ukraine must continue to make progress in the reforms on the road to EU membership under difficult circumstances. As the Netherlands, we attach great importance to the accession criteria, but Ukraine does not have to walk this path alone. That is why the Netherlands is happy to lend a helping hand.”
The conference aims to strengthen mutual cooperation and share knowledge to support Ukraine in meeting the conditions for accession to the EU, the so-called Copenhagen criteria. The Dutch delegation consists of representatives from six ministries. Together with Ukrainian counterparts, discussions are taking place on, among other things, strengthening the rule of law, good governance, energy, agriculture and social affairs.
Mayor Depla: “We are honored that this important conference is taking place in our city. Through our city partnership with Lviv, we feel closely involved in the current situation in Ukraine and where possible we provide emergency aid and support in the reconstruction process.”
A business forum will take place before the conference on Monday. To this first edition of the Netherlands-Ukraine Business Forum dozens of Dutch and Ukrainian companies are participating, active in the energy and (agricultural) construction sectors. The meeting will be closed by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma.
Minister Sjoerdsma: “The involvement of Dutch companies is indispensable for the reconstruction of Ukraine. They contribute to the country’s recovery by sharing their knowledge and skills with Ukrainian partners and entering into new collaborations. This also offers business opportunities, now and in the future. A win-win for the Netherlands and Ukraine.”
