Oleksandr Korniienko, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, took part in the general meeting of the All-Ukrainian Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities – the Forum of Heads of Communities. In particular, he joined the panel on "European Integration. Tasks for the Government and Local Self-Government".
"Our path to the European Union is a national affair. And it is important that everyone understands their part of the responsibility," the First Vice Speaker stressed.
He also stressed that when it comes to cross-border cooperation, Ukrainian communities should pay attention to regional equalisation projects: "This is a benefit that will not come after accession, but is available right now." "From a worldview point of view, the EU is a space of justice, so that all citizens can feel the same, for example, in the service sector," said Oleksandr Korniienko.
He also stressed that all communities will have equal chances to access all resources. The First Vice Speaker stressed that this requires raising both the capacity to implement the process and the level of qualification, in particular, knowledge of English.
"And the main thing is to be brave and apply for projects, win them," Oleksandr Korniienko concluded, while recommending that hromadas (communities) "open up to the world, create new horizontal connections – have brothers from Europe."