On 13 July 2021, the EU and Ukraine launched a strategic partnership on raw materials, with the aim of achieving a closer integration of raw materials and batteries value chains. The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding and endorsed a first roadmap to advance the strategic partnership.
The MoU sets the political framework with the commitment of both parties to implement activities along the entire value chain of both primary and secondary raw materials, with CRMs identified as a priority. The roadmap represents the initial actions to advance the goals of the Partnership under the three work streams defined in the MoU:
WS1 – Approximation of regulatory mining frameworks and application of the sustainable mining principles.
WS2 – Integration of (critical) raw materials and battery value chains by facilitating joint venture projects and business opportunities.
WS3 – Closer collaboration in Research and Innovation along critical raw materials and batteries value chains utilizing Horizon Europe and other EU programmes relating to raw materials and batteries.
In terms of next steps, the roadmap identifies five initial actions in the fields of:
(i) Decarbonisation of raw material mining, extraction and processing in Ukraine.
(ii) Strengthening sustainable and responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials and batteries in Ukraine.
(iii) Digitalisation of data management of Ukrainian mineral resources/reserves.
(iv) Enhancing the use of Earth-observation programmes and remote sensing.
(v) Development of joint-venture projects for EU and Ukrainian industrial and investment actors.
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