The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze, took part in the 14th Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Ukraine and Poland. She thanked Poland for its assistance to Ukraine in the fight against russian aggression, for supporting Ukraine's path toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as for the open hearts and doors that Poland opened to Ukrainians at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. «I am convinced that it is precisely this openness, readiness for dialogue and human solidarity that must continue to serve as the basis for building our shared interests, common agreements, and the ability to achieve joint success,» the Chair of the Committee said.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze emphasised that, for Ukraine, European integration is a guarantee of security, resilience, and stability. «But it is also about real living standards for every citizen, as well as a symbol — a promise of people's future who are living during wartime,» she said.
The Chair of the Committee recalled that Poland has always been one of the main advocates of Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO: «I would very much like Poland’s voice to remain as loud and convincing as ever.»
According to her, Ukraine highly appreciates that during Poland's Presidency of the Council of the EU, the issues of EU enlargement and security were prioritised which was important for Poland, Ukraine, and the entire region. Unfortunately, during Poland's Presidency it was not possible to unblock the opening of the first negotiations cluster for Ukraine. «This was due to the artificial veto imposed by the Hungarian Prime Minister. And unfortunately, this veto continues. It is critically important for us that Poland maintain its active position in finding a tool and a mechanism to bypass, halt, or lift this veto. Because, in our view, it has nothing to do with solidarity, the EU’s shared values, or the real interests of the European Union. It is based on the narrow party and national interests of a single political force. And, unfortunately, it also plays into the hands of the aggressor country,» said the Committee Chair. According to the European Commission's assessment, Ukraine is now ready to open at least three clusters. Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze is convinced that it is important to maintain the momentum of European integration on the part of both Kyiv and Brussels. The opening of the first cluster of negotiations, she said, will also give Ukraine closer attention from its European partners to the processes taking place in Ukraine.
The Chair of the Committee also outlined the economic and security aspects of Ukraine's European integration. She noted that this process is beneficial not only for Ukraine, but also for European partners. «We are definitely not beggars, but donors of know-how, knowledge, experience and skills that we can pass on to our partners,» said Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze.
According to her, there are also complex areas in which Ukrainians and Poles can compete. This is the case, for example, with agriculture. And this also needs to be discussed openly. «But I am convinced that we are capable of finding ways to work together through joint ventures, joint processing, and by finding those points of contact that will enable us to become serious and successful players together,» said the Committee Chair.
Regarding historical challenges, she called for honest dialogue. «The Ukrainian state, and I say this as a representative of the opposition, is now taking a very responsible approach to bilateral historical dialogue. I would like to see as little manipulation as possible and for our educational books, both in Ukraine and Poland, to contain less distortion and more truth, perhaps a difficult truth for both countries about our shared historical past, which would allow us to build a more successful future together,» said Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze.
The Committee Chair also called on Poland to lift restrictions on new trade rules that replaced autonomous trade preferences for Ukraine. «So that we can continue on the path of trade that will enrich our peoples, our economies and our shared success,» concluded the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU.