“The Ukrainian World Congress will, together with the Ukrainian world diaspora, take all actions to support Ukraine in joining the European Union as soon as possible,” said the Congress’s President Evhen Choliy at a meeting with the Ukrainian Parliament’s Chairman A.Parubiy
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy congratulated the Ukrainian World Congress’s delegation headed by the President E.Choliy on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. He pointed out the great role the Ukrainian diaspora was taking in supporting Ukraine internationally during the Revolution of Dignity and ATO doings – “The Ukrainian diaspora made a lot for establishment and build-up of Ukraine by means of providing a global support to the country”.
The President of the Congress Evhen Choliy underlined the diaspora would surely prop up Ukraine on its path to the European Union.
E.Choliy greeted A.Parubiy on the 26th anniversary of the Ukrainian Independence and the great achievements in the European integration, including ratification of the Association Agreement and granting the visa free travel. “I do believe these gains are really great for Ukraine on its integration pathway. I congratulate you all with the wins and have high hopes that the associate EU membership is just the first necessary step to being a freeman or full member of the European Union,” said the President, giving his word that both the Congress and the diaspora would back Ukraine in full to allow it to join the European Union as soon as possible.
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada noted that despite swarms of the European Integration head-shakers, the Association agreement ratification as well as the visa-free travel did finally come true – and these are quite important deeds.
“We see the benefits of a visa-free travel - thousands of Ukrainians could use it, he said and stressed. - This question, above all, is a matter of dignity. Dignity and sense of being a citizen, part of Europe. This is indeed an important event. Perhaps not everyone is aware of its significance, but it was an important step. Ukraine has done a tremendous job, but the Ukrainian diaspora has been equally important for all countries where Ukraine needed support”. According to him, the signing of the Free Trade Agreement with Canada would be impossible without the support of a mighty Ukrainian diaspora in Canada.
The participants of the meeting also discussed security issues, the work of observing missions in the Donbas, the elaboration of a joint action plan with the Parliament of Ukraine, and further signing of the Memorandum, the issue of recognizing the Holodomor in Ukraine as a genocide, increasing the participation of the Ukrainian diaspora in international organizations, such PABSEC, PACE and others.
E. Choliy reported that during the next few months conferences would take place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the organization creation for all countries of the world, where Ukrainian communities are represented. He also informed that one more mission of the World Congress, headed by Maryna Yaroshevych, began its work in Brussels.
The President of the World Congress expressed his opinion on the necessity of working out a united voice of Ukraine on the international scene while participating in international forums, especially in war, “because it is a question of the state stability”.
In response, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada noted that this is a matter of political culture, it is necessary to carry out educational work, and the authority and experience of the world's Ukrainian communities can become a decisive voice. “The knowledge and experience that you have is important and sufficient to talk and explain to our politicians,” said A.Parubiy.
The meeting was also attended by UWC Secretary General Stefan Romaniv, the President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Pavlo Grad, the Director of the UWC Delegation in Ukraine Serhiy Kasyanchuk, and Maryna Yaroshevych, the Director of the UWC Representation in Brussels.