Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze met with a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU met with the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. The Estonian delegation was represented by: Kyllike Syllaste-Elling, Undersecretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; Annely Kolk, newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to Ukraine; Gert Antsu, Director for Ukraine, Moldova and South Caucasus Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; Tija Treyer, adviser of Ukraine, Moldova and South Caucasus Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, and Vahur Soosaar, Deputy Head of the Estonian Diplomatic Mission in Ukraine.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked Estonia for its constant strong support of Ukraine, which is the largest among all countries in relation to GDP: “I hope you will not get tired and not lose the energy with which you help Ukraine.”

She emphasised that Ukraine still needs military support and assistance in other areas, in particular, sanctions pressure on Russia. “It is a shame that no measures have been taken to punish Russia for blowing up the Kakhovska HPP,” said the Chair of the Committee. She called on her Estonian colleagues to work on expanding the sanctions lists, in particular, against Rosatom and exporters of dual-use products.

Regarding European integration progress, the Chair of the Committee noted the importance of the interim report of the European Commission on the fulfilment of the seven requirements that accompanied the granting of candidate status for joining the EU. “This interim assessment obliged us to mobilise and complete the identified tasks. I hope that most of them will be completed by the end of September,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

She noted that it is crucial for Ukraine to open negotiations on joining the EU by the end of this year. “Next year there will be many elections, including to the European Parliament, and this will divert attention from Ukraine,” the Chair of the Committee believes. In addition, the opening of negotiations, according to her, will attract more attention from the EU to Ukraine. “This is very important, because during martial law, one cannot forget about the fundamental values and democratic processes that are the basis of every country in the free world,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced. It is about decentralisation, balance of powers and freedom of speech. According to the Chair of the Committee, Ukraine is fighting for the right to be a democratic country.