27 October 2021, 09:17
The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU took part in NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council meeting
A two-day meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council took
place in Odessa. This Council is an instrument of parliamentary control
that allows Ukraine, together with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, to
monitor the implementation of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration
strategy.
The participants of the event discussed reforms in Ukraine, Ukraine's
cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance, security challenges in
the Black Sea region, countering Russian aggression in Ukraine and
disinformation attacks, as well as the de-occupation of Crimea. In her
speech, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stressed the importance of
strengthening parliamentary cooperation within the NATO-Ukraine
Interparliamentary Council, as the integration into the European Union
and NATO is a response to the request of Ukrainian people.
According to the Chair of the Committee, the militarization of Crimea
and Russia's aggressive actions at sea is a serious threat to NATO's
southern flank. Russia is trying to undermine the alliance's defence
capabilities by disrupting access to conflict zones in the event of a
crisis.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also noted the importance of continuing
reforms, especially in the defence area. “This is a common task for all
those who believe that Ukraine's membership in the Alliance and the EU
is the only acceptable way,” the Committee Chair emphasized.
The Chair of the Committee welcomed the unity of all political forces,
regardless of party affiliation, in the issue of cooperation with NATO:
“Considering the threat we face, we are all absolutely unanimous here,
regardless of party affiliation, regarding the need to attract maximum
assistance from the North Atlantic Alliance, their presence in the
Black Sea in order to increase security in the Black Sea region and to
maximize incentives. Ukraine has to carry out reforms in accordance
with the goals that we have undertaken in the Constitution of Ukraine,
and which are supported by the citizens of Ukraine”.
The Chair of the Committee noted that Ukraine's issues, its struggle
against the aggressor, should be prioritized by our Western partners.
“Unfortunately, today the issue of security in Ukraine has been reduced
on the agenda for the Euro-Atlantic community. The friends of Ukraine
have come here to continue working to return both Ukraine and the
conflicts in Georgia to the international agenda,” Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze said. She also added that the very fact that such a
dialogue with the alliance was taking place and that it was finally
taking place offline, despite the restrictions in Odessa, was extremely
important. “Our friends decided not to cancel this format of
communication and their presence here in Ukraine. It is a kind of
political statement that they are here today and that they will visit
the Headquarters of the Ukrainian Navy with us tomorrow. These are
important components of political support,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze
stated.