Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze addressed Ukrainian local communities
07 July 2023, 11:17
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.