The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze took part in the meeting of COSAC — the Conference of
the Committees on European Affairs of the Member States of the European
Union and on the European Integration of Partner Countries and Candidate
Countries for EU Accession. The conference took place in the Belgian city
of Namur. At the beginning of the year, Belgium assumed the presidency in
the EU for six months.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked all European countries for their help
to Ukraine. “We stand thanks to the Ukrainian people, the Armed Forces and
your support. And I am grateful to you. I hope that you all agree that the
assistance should be continued,” said the Chair of the Committee. She
emphasised that the entire European community should reaffirm its
intention to join efforts to protect the security and well-being not only
of Ukraine but also of the entire continent. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze
reminded that at the time when Europe was celebrating Christmas, Ukraine
was under Russian shelling. From 29 December 2023 to 2 January 2024,
Russia launched the largest air strikes against Ukraine since the
beginning of the full-scale invasion. Residential buildings, schools,
hospitals, and shopping centres were targeted. In this regard, the Chair
of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU called on the COSAC
members to condemn these large-scale attacks and increase military aid to
Ukraine.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasised that the war against Ukraine is a
war against freedom of choice, international law, basic values and
principles that underlie the European Union. The Chair of the Committee
drew attention to the six priorities of the Belgian presidency in the EU
for the next six months, including defending the rule of law, protecting
people and borders, strengthening competitiveness, pursuing a green and
just transition, reinforcing the social agenda and promoting a global
Europe. She noted that to achieve all these goals, the European community
must do everything to protect Europe from Russia together. Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze reminded the COSAC participants that the war in
Ukraine had been lasting not for two years, but almost for ten. “We,
Ukrainians, seek peace more than anything else in the world. Peace for us
means that Russia must leave our land, free our children and citizens. It
must adhere to international law and bear responsibility for crimes in
this war. We can achieve this only together with you. I hope that you will
support the Ukrainian people as long as necessary – until the victory of
Ukraine and the complete defeat of Russia,” she concluded.