The Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU held a meeting with French MPs

Members of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU met with a delegation of representatives of the National Assembly of the French Republic — members of the France-Ukraine interparliamentary friendship group. The French delegation was represented by six members from different political parties belonging to the government and the opposition.

The Chair of the Committee, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, thanked for the military, humanitarian, financial and political support that France has been providing. “We rely on your willingness to stand with us to victory,” she said.

She also noted that France's support for granting Ukraine candidate status for EU membership was extremely important. “We hope very much that France will support the decision to open negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU at the end of this year, following positive recommendations of the European Commission” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

French MPs noted that over the past two years, three important resolutions in support of Ukraine have been adopted in the National Assembly of France. The first resolution condemned Russian aggression. The second recognised the Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian people. The third recognised PMK Wagner as a terrorist organisation.

“Our goal today is to listen to your needs and wishes, how we can better orient our aid to Ukraine, and what messages to convey to French society,” said Benjamin Haddad, Chair of the France-Ukraine friendship group of the National Assembly of the French Republic.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked the French colleagues for their initiative and work on the parliamentary resolutions supporting Ukraine. She noted that not only the private military company Wagner is a terrorist group, but also the entire Russian Federation. “I hope that respective discussions will start in the French Parliament and result in the adoption of a resolution recognising Russia as a terrorist state, which has waged a genocidal war against Ukraine,” said the Chair of the Committee. She stated that Russia uses terrorist methods in its war against Ukraine, destroying schools, kindergartens, cultural institutions, museums and energy infrastructure. Therefore, Ukraine's greatest need will remain weapons, air defence equipment, missiles and artillery shells. The Chair of the Committee thanked President’s Macron decision to provide Ukraine with 50 SCALP missiles. “For us, they are essential to be able to destroy Russia's logistics support. We would like to ask you to consider providing additional SCALP missiles. The supply of Crotale air defence missile systems, which have proven themselves very well, is also crucial,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

She added that it is extremely important for Ukraine to fulfil the seven conditions that accompany the granting of candidate status. “At the same time, we are very well aware that these seven conditions are not the only thing we have to do to transform Ukraine in accordance with EU requirements,” the Chair of the Committee noted. According to her, the Parliament is working to fulfil its tasks to the best possible extent. “Not everything goes smoothly. It's a hard work. Representatives of different political forces work together to ensure the best possible results before the evaluation of the European Commission,” said the Chair of the Committee.

The first deputy Chairman of the Committee, Vadym Halaychuk, informed that now there is a strong political will and coordination between various branches of power — the President, the Government and the Parliament — to implement the seven recommendations and prepare for the next step — opening of EU membership negotiations. “We work in close cooperation with European institutions. The Verkhovna Rada collaborates with the European Parliament to coordinate these efforts and to exchange information about expectations and challenges we face,” said Vadym Halaichuk.

Secretary of the Committee Valentyn Nalyvaichenko emphasised that it is important to hold Russia accountable for crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression against Ukraine. He asked for France's help in supporting the creation of the Special International Tribunal.