This cooperation shall include:
(a) exchange of information, best practices, experience and maritime "know-how" transfer, including on innovative technologies in maritime sectors;
(b) exchange of information and best practices on financing options for projects, including public-private partnerships;
(c) enhancing cooperation between the Parties in the relevant inter- national maritime fora.
Section 3. Regular Dialogue on Fisheries and Maritime Policies
Article 413.
A regular dialogue between the Parties will take place on the issues covered by Section 1 and Section 2 of Chapter 18 of Title V (Economic and Sector Co-operation) of this Agreement.
Chapter 19. Danube River
Article 414.
Bearing in mind the transboundary nature of the Danube river basin and its historical importance for riparian communities, the Parties shall:
(a) implement more rigorously the international commitments made by EU Member States and Ukraine in the spheres of navigation, fisheries, protection of the environment, in particular of aquatic ecosystems, including conservation of living aquatic resources, to achieve good ecological status, as well as in other relevant spheres of human activity;
(b) support, where necessary, initiatives to develop bilateral and multi- lateral agreements and arrangements with the aim of encouraging sustainable development, and paying special attention to respecting traditional lifestyles in riparian communities and the pursuit of economic activity through integrated use of the Danube river basin.
Chapter 26. Consumer Protection
Article 415.
The Parties shall cooperate in order to ensure a high level of consumer protection and to achieve compatibility between their systems of consumer protection.
Article 416.
In order to achieve these objectives, the cooperation shall comprise, in particular:
(a) promotion of exchange of information on consumer protection systems;
(b) provision of expertise on legislative and technical capacity to enforce legislation and market surveillance systems;
(c) improvement of information provided to consumers;
(d) training activities for administration officials and persons represen- ting consumer interests;
(e) encouraging the development of independent consumer associations and contacts between consumer representatives.
Article 417.
Ukraine shall gradually approximate its legislation to the EU acquis, as set out in Annex XXXIX to this Agreement, while avoiding barriers to trade.
Article 418.
A regular dialogue will take place on the issues covered by Chapter 20 of Title V (Economic and Sector Co-operation) of this Agreement.
Chapter 21. Cooperation on Employment, Social Policy and Equal Opportunities
Article 419.
Taking account of Chapter 13 (Trade and Sustainable Development) of Title IV (Trade and Trade-related Matters) of this Agreement, the Parties shall strengthen their dialogue and cooperation on promoting the decent work agenda, employment policy, health and safety at work, social dialogue, social protection, social inclusion, gender equality and non-discrimination.
Article 420.
Cooperation in the area covered by Article 419 of this Agreement shall pursue the following goals:
(a) improve the quality of human life;
(b) meet common challenges, such as globalisation and demographic change;
(c) aim at more and better jobs with decent working conditions;
(d) promote social fairness and justice, while reforming labour markets;
(e) promote conditions of labour markets that combine flexibility with security;
(f) promote active labour market measures and improve efficiency of employment services to match the needs of the labour market;
(g) foster more inclusive labour markets that integrate disadvantaged people;
(h) reduce the informal economy by transforming undeclared work;
(i) improve the level of protection of health and safety at work, including by education and training on health and safety issues, promotion of preventive measures, prevention of major accident hazards, management of toxic chemicals, and exchange of good practice and research in this area;
(j) enhance the level of social protection and modernise social protection systems, in terms of quality, accessibility, and financial sustainability;
(k) reduce poverty and enhance social cohesion;
(l) aim at gender equality and ensure equal opportunities for women and men in employment, education, training, economy and society, and decision-making;
(m) combat discrimination on all grounds;
(n) enhance the capacity of social partners and promote social dialogue.
Article 421.
The Parties shall encourage the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, in particular social partners, as well as civil society organisations, in Ukraine's policy reforms and in the cooperation between the Parties under this Agreement.
Article 422.
The Parties shall promote corporate social responsibility and account- ability and encourage responsible business practices, such as those promoted by the UN Global Compact of 2000, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy of 1977 as amended in 2006, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enter- prises of 1976 as amended in 2000.
Article 423.
The Parties shall aim at enhancing cooperation on employment and social policy matters in all relevant regional, multilateral and international fora and organisations.
Article 424.
Ukraine shall ensure gradual approximation to EU law, standards and practices in the area of employment, social policy and equal opportunities, as set out in Annex XL to this Agreement.
Article 425.
A regular dialogue will take place on the issues covered by Chapter 21 of Title V (Economic and Sector Co-operation) of this Agreement.
Chapter 22. Public Health
Article 426.
The Parties shall develop their cooperation in the public health field, to raise the level of public health safety and protection of human health as a precondition for sustainable development and economic growth.
Article 427.
1. Such cooperation shall cover, in particular, the following areas:
(a) strengthening of the public health system and its capacity in Ukraine, in particular through implementation of reforms, further development of primary health care, and training of staff,
(b) prevention and control of communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, increased preparedness regarding highly pathogenic disease outbreaks, and implementation of the International Health Regulations;
(c) prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, through exchange of information and good practices, promoting healthy life-styles, addressing major health determinants and problems, such as mother and child health, mental health, and addiction to alcohol, drugs and tobacco, including implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of 2003;
(d) quality and safety of substances of human origin, such as blood, tissues and cells;
(e) health information and knowledge, including as regards the "health in all policies" approach.
2. To that end, the Parties shall exchange data and best practise, and undertake other joint activities, including via the "health in all policies" approach and through the gradual integration of Ukraine into the European networks in the public health field.
Article 428.
Ukraine shall gradually approximate its legislation and practice to the principles of the EU acquis, in particular regarding communicable diseases, blood, tissues and cells, as well as tobacco. A list of selected EU acquis elements is included in Annex XLI to this Agreement.
Article 429.
A regular dialogue will take place on the issues covered by Chapter 22 of Title V (Economic and Sector Co-operation) of this Agreement.
Chapter 23. Education, Training, and Youth
Article 430.
Fully respecting the responsibility of the Parties for the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity, the Parties shall promote cooperation in the field of education, training and youth in order to enhance mutual understanding, promote intercultural dialogue and increase the knowledge of their respective cultures.
Article 431.
The Parties shall undertake to intensify cooperation in the field of higher education, aiming, in particular at:
(a) reforming and modernising the higher education systems;
(b) promoting convergence in the field of higher education deriving from the Bologna process;
(c) enhancing the quality and relevance of higher education;
(d) stepping up cooperation between higher education institutions;
(e) building up the capacity of higher education institutions;
(f) increasing student and teacher mobility: attention will be paid to cooperation in the field of education with a view to facilitating access to higher education.
Article 432.
The Parties shall endeavour to increase the exchange of information and expertise, in order to encourage closer cooperation in the field of vocational education and training with a view, in particular, to:
(a) developing systems of vocational education and training, and further professional training throughout the working life, in response to the needs of the changing labour market;
(b) establishing a national framework to improve the transparency and recognition of qualifications and skills drawing, where possible, on the EU experience.
Article 433.
The Parties shall examine the possibility of developing their cooperation in other areas, such as secondary education, distance education, and life-long learning.
Article 434.
The Parties agree to encourage closer cooperation and exchange of experience in the field of youth policy and non-formal education for young people, with the aim of
(a) facilitating the integration of young people into society at large by encouraging their active citizenship and spirit of initiative;
(b) helping young people acquire knowledge, skills and competencies outside the educational systems, including through volunteering, and recognising the value of such experiences;
(c) enhancing cooperation with third countries;
(d) promoting cooperation between youth organisations in Ukraine and in the EU and its Member States;
(e) promoting healthy lifestyles, with a particular focus on youth.
Article 435.
The Parties shall cooperate taking into consideration the provisions of the recommendations listed in Annex XLII to this Agreement.
Article 436.
A regular dialogue will take place on the issues covered by Chapter 23 of Title V (Economic and Sector Co-operation) of this Agreement.
Chapter 24. Culture
Article 437.
The Parties shall undertake to promote cultural cooperation in order to enhance mutual understanding and foster cultural exchanges, as well as to boost the mobility of art and artists from the EU and Ukraine.
Article 438.
The Parties shall encourage intercultural dialogue between the individuals and organisations representing organised civil society and cultural institutions in the EU and in Ukraine.
Article 439.
The Parties shall closely cooperate in relevant international fora, including United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Council of Europe (CoE), inter alia, in order to develop cultural diversity, and to preserve and valorise cultural and historical heritage.
Article 440.
The Parties shall endeavour to develop a regular policy dialogue on culture in order to foster the development of cultural industries in the EU and in Ukraine. To this end, the Parties shall implement properly the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions of 2005.
Chapter 25. Cooperation In the Field of Sport and Physical Activity
Article 441.
1. The Parties shall cooperate in the field of sport and physical activity in order to help develop a healthy lifestyle among all age groups, to promote the social functions and educational values of sport and to fight against threats to sport such as doping, match-fixing, racism and violence.
2. Such cooperation shall, in particular, include the exchange of information and good practices in the following areas:
(a) promotion of physical activity and sport through the educational system, in cooperation with public institutions and non-governmental organisations;
(b) sports participation and physical activity as a means to contribute to a healthy lifestyle and general well-being;
(c) development of national competence and qualifications systems in the sport sector;
(d) integration of disadvantaged groups through sport;
(e) the fight against doping;
(f) the fight against match-fixing;
(g) security during major international sporting events.
Article 442.
A regular dialogue will take place on the issues covered by Chapter 25 of Title V (Economic and Sector Co-operation) of this Agreement.
Chapter 26. Civil Society Cooperation
Article 443.
The Parties shall foster civil society cooperation, which shall aim to achieve the following objectives:
(a) to strengthen contacts and encourage mutual exchange of experience between all sectors of civil society in the EU Member States and in Ukraine;
(b) to involve civil society organisations in the implementation of this Agreement, including its monitoring, and in the development of EU-Ukraine bilateral relations;
(c) to ensure a better knowledge and understanding of Ukraine, including its history and culture, in the EU Member States;
(d) to ensure a better knowledge and understanding of the European Union within Ukraine, including the values on which it is founded, its functioning and its policies.
Article 444.
The Parties shall promote dialogue and cooperation between civil society stakeholders from both sides as an integral part of EU-Ukraine relations, by means of:
(a) strengthening of contacts and mutual exchange of experience between civil society organisations in the EU Member States and in Ukraine, in particular through professional seminars, training, etc;
(b) facilitating institution-building and consolidation of civil society organisations, including, amongst others, advocacy, informal networking, visits, workshops, etc;
(c) enabling the familiarisation of Ukrainian representatives with the process of consultation and dialogue between social and civil partners in the EU, with a view to integrating civil society into the policy process in Ukraine.
Article 445.
A regular dialogue will take place on the issues covered by Chapter 26 of Title V (Economic and Sector Co-operation) of this Agreement.
Chapter 27. Cross-Border and Regional Cooperation
Article 446.
The Parties shall promote mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation in the field of regional policy, on methods of formulation and implementation of regional policies, including multi-level governance and partnership, with special emphasis on the development of disadvantaged areas and territorial cooperation, hereby establishing channels of communication and enhancing exchange of information between national, regional and local authorities, socio-economic actors and civil society.
Article 447.
The Parties shall support and strengthen the involvement of local and regional-level authorities in cross-border and regional cooperation and the related management structures, to enhance cooperation through the establishment of an enabling legislative framework, to sustain and develop capacity-building measures and to promote the strengthening of cross-border and regional economic and business networks.
Article 448.
The Parties shall strive to develop cross-border and regional elements of, inter alia, transport, energy, communication networks, culture, education, tourism, health and other areas covered by this Agreement which have a bearing on cross-border and regional cooperation. In particular, the Parties shall encourage the development of cross-border cooperation in regard to modernisation, equipping and co-ordination of emergency services.
Article 449.
A regular dialogue will take place on the issues covered by Chapter 27 of Title V (Economic and Sector Co-operation) of this Agreement.
Chapter 28. Participation In European Union Agencies and Programmes
Article 450.
Ukraine shall be allowed to participate in EU agencies relevant to the implementation of this Agreement and other EU agencies, where their establishing regulations permit, and as laid down by these establishing regulations. Ukraine shall enter into separate agreements with the EU to enable its participation in each such agency and to set the amount of its financial contribution.
Article 451.
Ukraine shall be allowed to participate in all current and future programmes of the Union that are opened to the participation of Ukraine in accordance with the relevant provisions adopting those programmes. Ukraine's participation in the programmes of the Union shall be in accordance with the provisions laid down in the annexed Protocol II on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the General Principles for the Participation of Ukraine in Union Programmes of 2010.
Article 452.
The EU shall inform Ukraine in the case of establishment of new EU agencies and new programmes of the Union, as well as regarding changes in terms of participation in the programmes of the Union and agencies, mentioned in the Articles 450 and 451 of this Agreement.