Olha Stefanishyna discusses support for Ukraine on its way to EU membership with delegation of EU Political and Security Committee

01.04.2023, 15:34 uatv.ua

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna met with a delegation led by Chair of the EU Political and Security Committee Delphine Pronk. The meeting was attended by ambassadors of all 27 EU member states and the EU Ambassador to Ukraine.

Olha Stefanishyna informed the participants about Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership, Ukraine’s urgent needs in the context of Russia’s ongoing war, and plans to rebuild the country.

The Deputy Prime Minister spoke about progress in implementing the seven recommendations of the European Commission that Ukraine received with its candidate status:

“The President, the Government and the Parliament are working in full synergy and are making every effort to achieve maximum results in implementing the seven recommendations for the interim assessment of the European Commission, which we expect to get in late spring,” said Olha Stefanishyna. “We have launched a self-screening process to identify and eliminate gaps in the compliance of national legislation with the European one. Hundreds of institutions, NGOs and experts are involved in the analysis of about 29,000 EU acquis, which will result in the Government developing a National Programme for the implementation of Ukrainian legislation in line with EU law.”

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, these processes are intended to accelerate and demonstrate Ukraine’s readiness and determination to start negotiations on EU membership this year, as our country’s European integration is a matter of survival for the state.

Olha Stefanishyna also expressed gratitude for the active work and the decision to increase the total budget of the European Peace Facility by EUR 2 billion. Within the framework of the Facility, the European Union helps to meet the critical needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“The financial and military assistance of the European community is a valuable part of our victory in the war against Russia and the shortest way to restore peace and security in Europe and beyond,” the Government official said. “For the war started by Russia to end as soon as possible, it is necessary to continue timely military and technical assistance to Ukraine from our partners. We are grateful for the approval by EU leaders of a joint plan to accelerate the supply of artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Such steps will help build the combat capability of the Ukrainian military and lead to our common victory over the invader.”

Olha Stefanishyna noted that in the strategic perspective, further development and expansion of the defense industry of the European Union and Ukraine would be the key to maintaining peace and security on the continent.

In turn, Chair of the EU Political and Security Committee Delphine Pronk assured of the EU’s continued unwavering support for as long as the Ukrainian people needed help. She also noted the remarkable reforms on the road to EU membership and stressed that Ukraine’s future lay in the EU.

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