Meeting with JETRO Representatives Held at the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union
20 October 2026, 11:45
On 16 October 2026, a meeting with representatives of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) was held to discuss “Deepening Ukrainian-Japanese Cooperation.” The meeting took place at the premises of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union in the context of the activities of the Inter-Factional Parliamentary Group “Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine” and the National Platform “Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine”.
The meeting was attended by Members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine:
Vadym Halaichuk — First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union and Head of the Ukrainian Section of the EU–Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee;
Galyna Mykhailiuk— Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement, Co-Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Deputy Group for Interparliamentary Relations with Japan, Doctor of Law, Professor;
Fedir Venislavskyi — Chair of the Subcommittee on State Security, Defence and Defence Innovations of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence.
The meeting was also attended by Andriy Smorodin, President of the National Platform “Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine” and Honorary Professor at the “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute.”
The Japanese side was represented by:
Tetsuo SHIBATA — current head of JETRO Kyiv;
Ryo KOBA — incoming head of JETRO Kyiv.
The participants discussed prospects for Ukrainian-Japanese economic cooperation, including Japanese business interest in developing cooperation with Ukraine and deepening economic interaction in the context of the Three Seas Initiative, as well as prospects for exploring joint economic projects.
The participants also discussed the Carpathian Integration Initiative, launched by Ukraine, its further development prospects, and possible formats for the participation of Japanese partners.
The meeting also addressed possible formats for further interaction involving Ukrainian Members of Parliament, research institutions, and business representatives, with a view to exchanging proposals and exploring potential joint projects in Ukraine, Japan, and Central and Eastern European countries.
Background. JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) is a Japanese organization that promotes international trade and economic cooperation. Japan has held the status of a strategic partner of the Three Seas Initiative since 2024.
Strategic Partner of the Three Seas Initiative since 2024.
The meeting was attended by Members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine:
Vadym Halaichuk — First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union and Head of the Ukrainian Section of the EU–Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee;
Galyna Mykhailiuk— Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement, Co-Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Deputy Group for Interparliamentary Relations with Japan, Doctor of Law, Professor;
Fedir Venislavskyi — Chair of the Subcommittee on State Security, Defence and Defence Innovations of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence.
The meeting was also attended by Andriy Smorodin, President of the National Platform “Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine” and Honorary Professor at the “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute.”
The Japanese side was represented by:
Tetsuo SHIBATA — current head of JETRO Kyiv;
Ryo KOBA — incoming head of JETRO Kyiv.
The participants discussed prospects for Ukrainian-Japanese economic cooperation, including Japanese business interest in developing cooperation with Ukraine and deepening economic interaction in the context of the Three Seas Initiative, as well as prospects for exploring joint economic projects.
The participants also discussed the Carpathian Integration Initiative, launched by Ukraine, its further development prospects, and possible formats for the participation of Japanese partners.
The meeting also addressed possible formats for further interaction involving Ukrainian Members of Parliament, research institutions, and business representatives, with a view to exchanging proposals and exploring potential joint projects in Ukraine, Japan, and Central and Eastern European countries.
Background. JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) is a Japanese organization that promotes international trade and economic cooperation. Japan has held the status of a strategic partner of the Three Seas Initiative since 2024.
Strategic Partner of the Three Seas Initiative since 2024.