There are /// //// bodies in focus of our committee scan today:
Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into EU
On February 11, the committee leadership met with the Commissioner of the EC Directorate-General of European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi, the Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas and the Head of the Support Group for Ukraine at the European Commission Peter M. Wagner.
The chairwoman of the committee Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze stressed the importance of further establishing priorities for EU-Ukraine cooperation within the EU association agenda. The committee pays close attention to the implementation of the Association Agreement. Ukraine's main objective for 2020 is to make significant progress in the sectoral approximation to the European Union in such areas as digital market, energy security, customs and justice, freedom and security. In addition, Ukraine is interested in approximating its national legislation to EU law and updating the Association Agreement as well.
As before, the key issues for Ukraine remain the conclusion of the Conformity Assessment and Acceptance Agreement for Industrial Products (ACAA) and signing the European Common Aviation Area Agreement (ECAA).
During the meeting, special attention was paid to supporting Ukraine from the EU’s part in countering the ongoing Russian aggression and to the process of implementing reforms in Ukraine in wartime. The conferees discussed the sanctions policy against the Russian Federation as well.
In his speech, EC commissioner O.Varhelyi stressed that relations with Ukraine remain among EU’s priorities. He also expressed his full support to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and did confirm further keeping sanctions against Russia. He also underscored that the Minsk process was and remains to be the clue to a peaceful settlement of the Donbas problem.
MPs talked over with the commissioner the Eastern Partnership issues and development prospects of the initiative aimed at bringing the Eastern partners closer to the EU.
Following the meeting, the participants agreed to continue the dialogue between members of the committee and the EС сommissioner in Brussels.
In conclusion of the meeting, the committee chairwoman expressed her hope for further fruitful cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union and noted that the chance for the country to attain EU membership in 5 years would be a good guide for Ukraine as it’s well and truly ready to meet all the requirements for acquiring the status of a fully-fledged EU member.
Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy
The body held committee hearings on the development of foreign trade in agri-food products under the EU Association Agreement.
Committee on Digital Transformation
The body held committee hearings on legislative changes in protecting children against sexual violence on the Internet.
Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights
The committee held a task meeting concerning the issues related with funding of civil society organizations (NGO) of the disabled.
Committee on Human Rights, Deoccupation and Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories in Donetsk, Luhansk Regions and Autonomous Republic of Crimea, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations
The body’s recent field sitting in the Kherson oblast has resulted in a set of recommendations aimed at the protection of Crimean residents’ rights.
Committee on Law Enforcement
The committee recommends that the Verkhovna Rada adopt the first reading of draft laws pointed at improving the road safety legislation presently in force.
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation
The committee chairman Oleksandr Merezhko met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine Mr. Kwon Ki-chang.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of bilateral political dialogue and inter-parliamentary cooperation, intensification of trade and economic cooperation and mutual investments - in particular, in the field of energy and machinery manufacturing, as well as the importance of sharing experience in implementing reforms.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine Kwon Ki-chang emphasized the continued support of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The committee chairman informed his Korean interlocutor about the state of play in implementing reforms in Ukraine, including the issue of protecting foreign investments.