Olena Kondratiuk: Granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership is a moral duty of Europe

Informatiion Department
Published on 10 June 2022, at 18:43

Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk met with a delegation of the European Interparliamentary Network United for Ukraine (U4U).

Deputies from the parliaments of the EU countries – Lithuania, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden – came to support Ukraine's European aspirations and see for themselves the consequences of the atrocities of the russian occupiers in Borodyanka, Bucha, and Irpin, Kyiv region.

On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada, Olena Kondratiuk thanked the United for Ukraine parliamentary association for solidarity and active participation in advocacy for urgent issues for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

"First of all, these are issues related to the supply of modern and heavy offensive weapons, humanitarian aid and reconstruction of Ukraine, increasing sanctions on russia, establishing an international tribunal, recording and investigating russian war crimes, and bringing those responsible to justice. This is the first and foremost issue now - granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership in June this year," said the Deputy Chairwoman of the Ukrainian Parliament.

Olena Kondratiuk informed her colleagues about the active work of the leadership and the parliamentary corps within the framework of parliamentary diplomacy. Today there are working trips to dozens of EU countries, where Ukrainian parliamentarians persuade all state institutions of the EU to support a favorable decision on Ukraine's candidacy. She also stressed that, despite the martial law, the Parliament is working, and all fractions act as one big political party, "Ukraine."

According to her, today, a unique situation has developed for Ukraine, and a wide window of opportunity has opened up.

"More than 66% of EU citizens support Ukraine's membership in the EU, and a record 91% of Ukrainian citizens favor our accession to the European Union. That is why we must join forces to persuade those who still have doubts and to ensure the unity of Europe in granting candidate status to Ukraine. We understand that this is only the first step, and there is a lot of work ahead, including legislation to reform the country and meet the criteria for membership," said the Deputy Speaker, adding that the Verkhovna Rada is ready for such work and has set up a special working group.

She stressed that the Ukrainian people deserved to receive a clear signal of solidarity from the European Union in the form of an application for EU membership in June 2022.

"It's not just a political decision. It's a moral duty of Europe. After all, Ukraine has been resisting the russian aggressor at a hefty price for more than 106 days, defending not only its freedom, territorial integrity, and independence but also European values ??and the entire European Union.

I am convinced that not granting such a status, following the EU summit on June 23-24, will be a defeat and will demonstrate the weakness and disunity of Europe," Olena Kondratiuk stressed and expressed the hope of all Ukrainian people that all decision-makers will listen to the clear recommendations of the European Parliament to provide Ukraine with a candidate for EU membership and heavy offensive weapons.

"This will break the chain of war and bring closer the joint victory of Ukraine and free Europe over the aggressor," said the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

On behalf of the Lithuanian Seimas MP Zygimantas Pavilionis, on behalf of the United for Ukraine delegation, assured the Ukrainian Deputy Speaker that all members of the union agree on the need to grant Ukraine EU candidate status. He stressed that U4U will work hard with its counterparts from the parliaments and governments of the EU, giving strong arguments for Ukraine to receive candidate status.