Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze at the COSAC conference: “I hope you will support the Ukrainian people until the victory of Ukraine and the complete defeat of Russia”

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.