On Monday 24 April, the Council of the European Union approved the establishment of treaty relations with Ukraine under the Hague Convention, which allows for the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements in civil and commercial matters.
The EU Member States therefore consider that there are no fundamental obstacles, such as those related to the independence and efficiency of the judiciary, the fight against corruption or the respect of fundamental rights, which could prevent the EU from establishing treaty relations with Ukraine.
“With this decision to recognise and enforce each other’s judgements, the ties between the EU and Ukraine will only grow stronger”, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said in a statement.
This decision will facilitate the recognition and enforcement of EU and Ukrainian judgments in civil and commercial matters, making it an important instrument to facilitate international trade.
The Hague Convention on judgements was negotiated at the Private International Law Conference and signed in July 2019 (see EUROPE 12288/27). Ukraine and the EU ratified the Convention in 2022 (see EUROPE 13009/9). The contractual relationship between the two parties will be established on 1 September 2023. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)