The Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU held a meeting with leaders of European trade unions and employers

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Secretary of the Committee and Mykhailo Volynets, Member of the Parliament and Head of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine took part in the meeting. European trade unions were represented by Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation and Valeria Ronzitti, General Secretary of SGI Europe. SGI Europe is a European association representing employers and providers of services of general interest at the EU level.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked her European colleagues for the visit to Ukraine: “Thank you for finding the time and opportunity to come to Ukraine amid the war. Your support is special right now.”

She noted that the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU always invites representatives of trade unions to its meetings when there is a need to discuss draft laws regulating the social sphere. She noted that martial law imposes many restrictions, including legislative ones. Therefore, ensuring a transparent, open and honest social dialogue is extremely important.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that one of the greatest needs in all branches of power is the strengthening of institutional capacity. “Now, when Ukraine has reported on the fulfilment of the seven requirements regarding granting an EU candidate status and the opinion of the European Commission has been adopted, we hope for a recommendation of the European Council to open accession negotiations and will need even stronger institutional capacity.” said the Chair of the Committee. Thus, any advisory and expert assistance from European partners would be very useful.