On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, received a gold medal from the Jean Monnet Foundation for Peace and Democracy.
"This award is a recognition of the role of Ukraine, its citizens, defenders, and our institutions in protecting the values of peace and democracy, the values on which Europe is built," said Ruslan Stefanchuk.
At the same time, he noted that, of course, this award is also a recognition of the Ukrainian Parliament's commitment to reforms to strengthen open parliamentary democracy in our country.
On behalf of the entire parliamentary corps of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine thanked the Jean Monnet Foundation for this high honour.
Ruslan Stefanchuk assured that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will continue to implement European standards of parliamentarism, changes and reforms to ensure that Ukraine returns to its European home.
"For more than 70 years, the European Union has gone through a number of transformations. And now it is at the stage of a new, very qualitative renewal," said Ruslan Stefanchuk in his speech on the occasion of the award, expressing hope that new members, including Ukraine, will be able to provide such a renewal to the European Union.
At the same time, he stressed that Ukraine's path to the European Union is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine and, despite the war, Ukraine has not turned away from its goal, but rather is doing everything possible to get closer to the standards, principles and values that unite Europe.
In conclusion, Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude to European leaders and institutions for all their political decisions and support for Ukraine.