Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

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.