ON THE ISSUE OF LEGAL SUPPORT FOR PARADIPLOMACY IN UKRAINE: CURRENT STATE AND DIRECTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

The article examines the current state of legal
support for paradiplomatic activity in Ukraine, taking
into account the dynamics of decentralization
processes, the country’s European integration
trajectory, and the challenges of wartime conditions.
It is noted that paradiplomacy—as a form of external
activity of local self-government bodies and regional
authorities—is gradually acquiring a systemic nature,
while simultaneously facing a number of legal,
institutional, and procedural constraints. The article
analyzes the main legislative acts regulating
international interaction at the subnational level,
including the Law of Ukraine “On International
Territorial Cooperation,” the Law “On Foreign
Economic Activity,” and other related regulatory
documents. The authors emphasize the fragmented
nature of the current legal framework, the absence of
a unified registry of agreements concluded by local
authorities, and the need for better coordination from
central executive bodies, particularly the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. The article proposes directions for
improving the legal mechanism of paradiplomacy in
Ukraine, including the codification of relevant
competences, the creation of a specialized unit within
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the simplification of
procedures for participation in international
programs, and the inclusion of regional international
cooperation as a priority in national regional
development policy. It is concluded that legal
modernization of paradiplomacy is a necessary condition for its further development as a tool for strengthening the international subjectivity of Ukrainian regions.

Keywords: paradiplomacy, decentralization, regions, international law, municipalities, legislation, external relations.