During his working visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko met with the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Luxembourg Francois Bausch and Minister of Culture and Justice of Luxembourg Sam Tanson.
First of all, the Ukrainian delegates briefed on the current situation in Ukraine and the consequences of the russian federation’s missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
“We have to do everything to establish responsibility for the atrocities and crimes committed by the terrorist state,” said Oleksandr Korniienko, adding that Ukraine highly appreciates the willingness of the Luxembourg side to join the investigation of russia’s crimes.
The participants of the meeting also discussed Ukraine’s European integration path. The First Deputy Speaker stressed Ukraine’s expectations for the near future, namely the opening of negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union this year.
“We are all working together on the same task – to win as soon as possible. After all, this is the security, peace and justice of the whole world, including the European continent,” said Oleksandr Korniienko.
For his part, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Yehor Chernev thanked for the invitation to the meeting, stressing that it was a manifestation of Luxembourg’s strong position in supporting Ukraine in this terrible war. “I know that your support is 16% of your defence budget. We understand and appreciate that you are with us. We are all fighting for a democratic future in a world with international rules against this army of barbarians,” he stressed.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union, stressed that Ukraine calls for support for the establishment of a special tribunal to investigate russian crimes: “If russia is not punished, it will always try to return to its aggressive activities.”
“This is critical for our victory and defeat of russia. We are working together for the victory of Ukraine,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
For his part, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Luxembourg Francois Bausch also noted that in 2022, Luxembourg spent 16% of its defence budget to support Ukraine. “We remain committed and strive to achieve this level of ambition in 2023,” he stressed.
“It is always important to remember why we strongly support Ukraine. Deported children, imprisoned soldiers, raped women: accountability is crucial through the ICC and the special tribunal for the crime of aggression,” said Sam Tanson, the Minister of Culture and Justice of Luxembourg.
The meeting was also attended by Oleksandr Merezhko, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Andrii Kozhemiakin, the Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports, and Solomiia Bobrovska, the member of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence.
For reference. On 18-22 May, the First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko is on a working visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.