In the framework of his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk held a joint meeting with the President of the Storting (Parliament) Masud Gharahkhani, Mayor of the city of Drammen Monica Myrvold Berg and representatives of the leading volunteer organisation Blue Cross Norway with temporarily displaced Ukrainians.
“For Ukraine, Norway and the civilised countries of the world, people and human lives are the highest value,” Ruslan Stefanchuk said during the meeting. He expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Norway for providing shelter and the opportunity to escape from the war unleashed by russia to more than 40,000 Ukrainians.
At the same time, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine expressed his personal gratitude to the President of the Storting (Parliament), Masud Gharahkhani, for his visit to Ukraine, his care, solidarity and indifference throughout Ukraine’s struggle.
“Just like a year ago, we are very much looking forward to the support of our friends. After all, this is the key to the biggest dream of everyone here and in Ukraine, it is the key to our speedy victory,” Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasised. He also noted that Ukrainians who have found refuge in Norway are grateful for the high level of support and assistance they receive: “But each of them has the biggest dream – to return to peaceful Ukraine.”
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that Ukraine continues to need support and assistance – in providing weapons, the Euro-Atlantic path and a common victory over the russian aggressor.
“All of us who survived the war know that nothing can erase these memories. Your struggle is our struggle,” said Masud Gharahkhani, the President of the Storting of the Kingdom of Norway.
He said that all Norwegian municipalities accept and resettle Ukrainian families: “They do it cordially, with warmth of heart, just like my hometown of Drammen.”
“Norway is one of those countries that shows that through democratic institutions we need to cooperate to support Ukraine in the long term,” said Masud Gharahkhani. The President Storting added that, in particular, Norway is helping Ukraine through the Nansen Programme, which provides military and humanitarian support, as well as in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
For her part, the Mayor of Drammen, Monica Myrvold Berg, said that the flag of Ukraine was raised over the town hall as soon as russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February last year. “We did it in solidarity with Ukraine to show that all free and independent nations support Ukraine – and Ukraine’s struggle is also Norway’s struggle,” she said.
At the same time, Monica Myrvold Berg told how the municipality works for Ukrainian refugees. In particular, Drammen has a residence centre run by the NGO Blue Cross in close cooperation with the city authorities. She added that the city has already received 360 refugees from Ukraine.
At the same time, all Ukrainians who have come to Norway for asylum are eligible to participate in a one-year integration programme, during which they learn the Norwegian language, get to know Norwegian society and its functioning, and form a network of contacts for further education and employment. There are separate programmes for children and young people under 18, including a kindergarten: “I visited them, and the children sang in both Ukrainian and Norwegian – it was an unforgettable experience.”
“Today, Ukraine is fighting for the right to choose its own path, to develop as we want. I know that we are not alone on this path. We thank Norway for its important support, solidarity, and for being together. We will be together until we achieve our common victory,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.