On 17 November 2022, Mr Steen Nørlov, Head of Office, Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the coordination of co-operation programmes of the Council of Europe, took part online in the Partners Forum of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service.

The event's purpose was to discuss key areas of civil service development and co-operation with international partners to transform the civil service institute of Ukraine following the best global practices.

"The Council of Europe actively supports the efforts of Ukrainian partners to implement Public Administration Reform and to adapt its legal basis to European standards, as well as strengthen the capacity of public institutions to provide high-level services to the population, including in times of war." Head of the Office of the Council of Europe in Ukraine stated in his speech. 

Mr Nørlov emphasised the war demonstrates that good democratic governance is now more important than ever in Ukraine and beyond. And it is impossible without strong and effective public service. The Council of Europe, its Centre of Expertise for Good Governance and projects in Ukraine, particularly within the Council of Europe Programme "Enhancing decentralisation and public administration reform in Ukraine", actively co-operate with the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service starting from 2017. "We have a long history of effective co-operation with the National Agency. The Council of Europe has always considered strong local and regional democracy as an essential European value and supports of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and its European integration path. Our Office in Kyiv is fully functional, and we are here to stand with Ukraine – the full and respected member of the Council of Europe. Today, we are proud to be here and continue supporting the National Agency and, in general, the Ukrainian people."  Head of the Office of the Council of Europe in Ukraine underlined.

Ms Nataliia Aliushyna, Head of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service, highlighted the importance of co-operation with the Council of Europe. Ms Aliushyna stressed that the National Agency actively co-operates with the Council of Europe Programme "Enhancing decentralisation and public administration reform in Ukraine" in matters of methodological recommendations and clarifications for local self-government bodies.