During the meeting, the parties discussed the political situation in
Ukraine, counteraction to Russian aggression, situation around the
completion of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, as well as Ukraine's
cooperation with the EU in the framework of the Eastern Partnership.
The French colleagues noted that this visit to Ukraine will help them
better understand the political situation in our country and the
problems Ukraine is facing.
The Chair of the Committee thanked the French side for its constant and
consistent support of Ukraine, its sovereignty and independence, as
well as for the efforts that President Macron was taking in the
Normandy format. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze informed her French
colleagues that the situation at the Ukrainian-Russian border remains
extremely dangerous, as Russia, despite statements, had not withdrawn
its additional troops located near Ukraine recently. Moreover, now
another point of threat, according to the Chair of the Committee, is at
the territory of Belarus, where joint military exercises are being held
with Russia. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also drew the attention of the
French delegation to the need to oppose the completion of the Nord
Stream-2 gas pipeline: “For the Russian Federation, Nord Stream-2 is
not an economic or financial project. This is a powerful geopolitical
lever that the Kremlin will use not only against Ukraine but against
the whole Europe. I am convinced that we can still stop its completion
and commissioning”.
French National Assembly member Pierre Person said that the French
delegation's visit to Ukraine was a kind of message of support for
Ukraine: “France has always consistently defended the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Ukraine, so you can continue to count on our
support in the National Assembly and presidential majority, which is
currently in the French Parliament. We are on the side of Ukraine and
its people”.
Mr. Person also said that during his visit to Ukraine, the French
delegation should get acquainted with the situation in Ukraine, and
then tell about it to colleagues in the National Assembly, as well as
the media, and through them - to French people. Tell about all those
aspects of Russian aggression that continues on the territory of
Ukraine and the Ukrainian-Russian border. “Tomorrow, my colleagues and
I will be in Mariupol to see how Ukraine resists Russian aggression, to
express our support for the Ukrainian military and to express France's
solidarity with Ukraine”, - Pierre Person said.
The Chair of the Committee also stressed the importance of updating the
format of the Eastern Partnership. According to Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze, such an update is necessary, especially taking
into account the events in Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as
threats from Russia. “At the next Eastern Partnership summit, we would
like to hear from the EU countries a clear position on the associated
trio - Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Our countries have not just
unanimously declared their ambitions for EU membership. We are ready to
consistently do our homework to achieve concrete result”, - the Chair
of the Committee concluded.