The Verkhovna Rada held the working meeting with the Bureau
of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee. During the meeting, the
Parliamentarians discussed issues related to the forthcoming EU-Ukraine Summit,
reforms in Ukraine, legislative initiatives and the political agenda of the
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, as well as the renewal of the Association Agreement.
In addition, members of the Bureau of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee exchanged views on security and foreign policy issues, as well as future activities within the activities of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee.
DELEGATION TO THE EU-UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE
by Vadym HALAICHUK and Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI, Co-Chairs of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, following the informal bureau meeting held on 29 September 2021
The Bureau of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee held an online informal meeting on 29 September 2021, two weeks ahead of the upcoming 23rd EU-Ukraine bilateral summit.
We held a very open exchange on the expectations and priorities of the upcoming bilateral summit that should produce substantial deliverables and cement achievements by the conclusion of specific agreements, pursuing deeper sectoral integration, and discussing cooperation in all issues of mutual interest, including, inter alia energy security and the European Green Deal.
We welcomed the ongoing review process of the Association Agreement that should continue to provide for an effective road map for Ukraine’s reform efforts and bilateral relations. We also took note of the Trio Initiative of the associated countries as an expression of their ambition and aspirations to achieve a qualitative step forward in their efforts towards European integration.
We reiterated our joined resolve to uphold international law and the principle of territorial integrity and condemn the forced and mass passportisation of Ukrainian citizens by the Russian Federation, as well as involving residents of Crimea and the non-government controlled territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the recent State Duma elections, further eroding the credibility and legitimacy of the Russian electoral processes.
Parliamentarians from both sides remain committed to keeping the illegal occupation of Crimea and the related serious and systemic human rights violations on the international agenda. We also discussed the state of play in conflict resolution efforts in its various negotiation formats and ongoing developments in our shared neighborhood, notably the situation in Belarus.
We held a frank exchange on the state of play of reforms and ongoing legislative work in the Verkhovna Rada. Members recalled in this context the need to uphold transparent, inclusive, constructive and rules-based decision-making and legislative procedures in the assembly. We also discussed the need to enact an effective roadmap on judicial and anticorruption reform, including the implementation of relevant legislation already adopted.
We underlined our shared conviction regarding the substantial value added of our discussions and cooperation and the parliamentary dimension of the Association Agreement. We welcome the organization of the forthcoming “European Integration Day” in the Verkhovna Rada, demonstrating a continued resolve for reform. We emphasize the need to strengthen constructive parliament-government cooperation in order to achieve tangible progress on the approximation of relevant legislation.
We look forward to resuming the regular activities of the Parliamentary Association Committee by face-to-face personal contacts and physical meetings.