Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze addressed Ukrainian local communities

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze took part in the conference of the Association of Cities of Ukraine “Local self-government — the basis of European integration and recovery of Ukraine”.

She thanked the Association of Cities of Ukraine for organising the discussion and working at all levels with an aim to facilitate the European integration, which is a strategic goal of Ukraine.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that a year ago a historic decision of the European Union regarding granting Ukraine the candidate status was made. First of all, it was enabled through the efforts of the Defence Forces of Ukraine and their courage, but also through the work that has been carried out since 2014, through the efforts of representatives of various branches of power  and civil society. “We understand that we must work proactively and jointly to reach further strategic goals. We were given an interim assessment of the progress in fulfilling the seven conditions… We still have a lot of homework that we have to do without delay,” said the Chair of the Committee. According to her, there are tasks for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, for the executive power, for local authorities and for civil society.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze hopes that Ukrainian society will be mobilised at all levels, so that this year Ukraine can open negotiations on EU membership. “This will give us an opportunity to get additional tools that we can use on our way to the European Union. I expect that the Verkhovna Rada will complete its tasks by September, and we will receive a positive assessment from the European Commission in October,” the Chair of the Committee said.
 
She also informed that the European community is already discussing a new type of aid, namely  financial support for Ukraine for the next four years: “It is important that among the requirements for providing this aid is maintaining and developing democratic processes in Ukraine. Local authorities have a specific role here. Our colleagues understand that decentralisation and democratic local governance are crucial for every European state and they will help us develop the capacity of communities.”

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU expressed hope that local communities will be able to use as effectively as possible new tools that Ukraine will receive after the opening of negotiations on membership with the European Union. And the state will be able to provide communities with knowledge and enhance their capacities for the implementation of new projects. “I am convinced that we will succeed and will be able to move as quickly as possible on the path to membership, to our strategic goal of becoming a strong, influential European state and return to our European family,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.