PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF ACQUISITION OF UKRAINE’S FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE CIVIL PROTECTION MECHANISM OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

Public administration in the direction of Ukraine’s international cooperation in the field of civil defense gained special importance during the Russian – Ukrainian war. The functioning of the unified state system of civil defense in the conditions of martial law requires additional reinforcement with equipment and equipment, material and technical reserves to ensure the safety of the population. The purpose of the study is to analyze Ukraine’s cooperation with the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union (hereinafter – the Civil Protection Mechanism) and its steps on the way to full membership in the system: from the signing of the Administrative Agreement between the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Ukraine and the Directorate General «Environment» of the European Commission on December 8, 2008 regarding cooperation between the Monitoring and Information Center of the Civil Protection Mechanism of the Community and the Operational Emergency Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Ukraine until joining the Civil Protection Mechanism on April 20, 2023, working out some recommendations on issues of further cooperation of Ukraine within the framework of the Civil Protection Mechanism. An analysis of the functioning of the Civil Protection Mechanism, its role and place in the
pan-European security policy was carried out. The expediency of further implementation of some European experience in the functioning of civil defense systems is substantiated, in particular in terms of entrusting local self-government bodies with the authority to ensure fire safety of settlements and territories, regional stability, stimulating the participation of citizens in local and voluntary fire protection, etc. The priority of Ukraine’s accession to the Civil Protection Mechanism as part of the further implementation of the Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement, granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union, has been proven. The article also focuses on issues of interaction with the Civil Protection Mechanism of the relevant Ukrainian institutions in the conditions of martial law. The main research methods are defined as: abstract-logical, structural-functional, descriptive and contextual analysis. Attention is focused on the fact that the functioning of the Civil Protection Mechanism and support for Ukraine in the conditions of a full-scale Russian – Ukrainian war require more in-depth scientific research, in particular, in the directions proposed in the recommendations.