Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and their colleagues from the
European Parliament took part in the meeting. The participants discussed
the EU's support for Ukraine and bilateral relations in the context of
countering Russian aggression against Ukraine, bringing perpetrators to
justice for crimes of aggression against Ukraine through a special
tribunal; reparations; restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine.
PAC co-chairman from the EU side Witold Waszczykowski said that for almost
five hundred days Ukrainians have demonstrated an incredible example of
courage, resilience, unity and determination. “Our joint task is to
convince EU member states and citizens that Ukraine is an asset for the
European Union. European and Euro-Atlantic integration is our common
interest. Our task is also to convince those who still doubt it. Let's not
underestimate that,” he said.
Vadym Halaychuk, co-chairman of the Parliamentary Association Committee
from the Ukrainian side, mentioned that it was important to proceed to the
first negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, as well as to find
the right formula for obtaining NATO membership and reliable security
guarantees. “Our meeting is taking place against the background of
Ukraine's counteroffensive and just a few days before the important NATO
summit in Vilnius. The European Commission recently provided its oral
assessment of Ukraine's fulfilment of the conditions accompanying the
granting of candidate status to Ukraine and approved a new mechanism for
assistance to Ukraine,” he said.
Vadym Halaychuk also thanked the European Parliament for adopting 32
resolutions in support of Ukraine since the beginning of 2022. He noted
that, taking into account Ukraine's accession aspirations,
interparliamentary cooperation should be expanded: “As co-chairs of the
Parliamentary Association Committee, Mr. Witold Waszczykowski and I
express our conviction that now is the time to deepen and expand the scope
of our meetings. We need to make the transition from associate to
pre-admission agenda. Our parliaments have already launched a more
structured intercommittee dialogue, and we have the opportunity to discuss
it during this meeting,” said Vadym Halaychuk.
A Head of Secretariat of the Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine Anna
Jarosz Friis spoke about the new Ukraine Mechanism, which the European
Commission proposed to the EU member states and the European Parliament.
It is about 50 billion euros for the next four years. “Ukraine can count
on specific funds to be able to plan, support public services, and begin
recovery and reconstruction,” said Anna Jarosz Friis. Funds within the
framework of this mechanism, according to her, will effectively support
the macro-financial system of Ukraine. Anna Jarosz Friis also stated that
the Government of Ukraine should draw up a plan for reforms and
reconstruction of the country, the creation and implementation of which
the European side is ready to support.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the first deputy chair of the Parliamentary
Association Committee from the Ukrainian side said that it was very
important not to relax in supporting Ukraine. In most cases, not only the
quantity and quality of weapons for Ukraine is essential, but also the
speed of providing them. “I am very glad that now there are more sober
expectations from Ukraine's counteroffensive. Because the price of this
counteroffensive is extremely high for the Ukrainian people. We should not
hope that by only one counter-offensive, one effort, or one mobilisation,
we will win back all our territories. It is important to understand that
one should not hope for the immediate return of all Ukrainian territories,
but should be ready to support Ukraine as long as necessary. And we
insisted that this should be stated in our joint resolution — to be with
Ukraine until its victory, until the complete defeat of Russia. We need to
reach an agreement on this common goal and common vision for the future,”
said Ivanna Klympus-Tsintsadze.
She also noted that Europe is getting used to a brutal war that is taking
place on its territory. “I was stunned by the limited response to the
explosion of the Kakhovka dam. We have heard all these discussions, all
these questions — who is really behind this blowing. Only in a week came
the realisation that was obvious to us —Russians did it. I can see that
Russia's hybrid information interference in our discussion is returning.
We should already be immune to it. Let's get rid of it. Let's call a spade
a spade again and not wait for Russia to carry out new terrorist attacks
on our territory,” emphasised Ivanna Klympus-Tsintsadze.
The 15th meeting of the Parliamentary Association Committee EU-Ukraine took place in Brussels
Published on06 July 2023, at 11:17
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