On July 7, members of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the
EU met with representatives of the parliamentary delegation of the
French Republic. The parties discussed bilateral cooperation, security
issues and Ukraine's implementation of the Association Agreement with
the European Union.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Committee Vadym Halaychuk thanked
France for its long and consistent support of Ukraine: “We are grateful
to France for its support, in particular, in such an important issue as
the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We hope that France will play an
active role in the newly created Crimean platform, which should become
the main tool for restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine,”
Vadym Halaychuk said.
Member of the French National Assembly, Head of the France-Ukraine
Friendship Group Valeria Faure-Muntian said that the COVID-19 pandemic
had a negative impact on many areas of cooperation: “The COVID-19
pandemic has significantly affected our relations, now we need to do
everything to restore them at all levels”.
Maria Mezentseva, Deputy Chair of the Committee, said that Ukraine
greatly appreciated France's assistance in various areas. She also
briefed French parliamentarians on the humanitarian situation in the
temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories: “The war has lead to 1.7
million internally displaced persons in Ukraine, according to official
figures. Unofficially, there are 3 million such people. Recently, there
was a big blockade of students who had to take exams. They are now
forcibly given passports, those who are 16 years old. And this is
becoming a real humanitarian catastrophe. Just yesterday, another
Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four were rescued by medics. The
war continues, and young people (from the occupied territories), who
are striving for better opportunities, do not have such an opportunity.”
Maria Mezentseva also said that this year Ukraine passed a number of
important laws that bring our country closer to the EU standards: “We
have taken a huge step to finalize industrial visa-free, so that our
goods follow the same certification processes as in the EU. The first
framework laws on waste management, safety of blood donation, safety of
food packaging, baby food were adopted. 52% of our obligations under
the Association Agreement have been fulfilled. We are moving towards
fulfilling the ultimate goals”.
The French colleagues noted that it is important to work out a common
rhythm of work in the economic spheres, in the field of agriculture and
environmental protection, as these areas are important for Ukraine's
progress towards the EU.