Ukrainian delegation took part in a parliamentary event in the framework of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London

During a working visit to London, the Ukrainian MPs took part in a parliamentary event at the Ukraine Recovery Conference and joined its discussion panels.

In particular, a high-level Joint Statement of Intent was signed between the all-party delegations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine.

“Despite horrific scenarios and forecasts, Ukraine continues to fight russian aggression,” said the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko, adding that the last months of the war have shown that there are no limits to russian cruelty. “They are launching missiles at civilian targets, terrorising the population with Iranian drones and even resorting to so-called “methods of mass destruction”, namely the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam,” he said, stressing that Ukraine is actively regaining its land by conducting active counter-offensive actions.

“The UK has made a significant contribution to this, as it has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people from the very first days. We are inspired by the fact that support for Ukraine is a consolidating factor for all political forces represented in the UK Parliament,” said Oleksandr Korniienko.

He noted that the UK has played a leading role in supporting Ukraine, including being the first to provide lethal weapons before the full-scale invasion and the decision to provide tanks to Ukraine, as well as the first to approve sanctions against the russian nuclear industry.

“The UK has done a lot to form a coalition of states to provide Ukraine with modern military aircraft. And now this initiative is being implemented,” said Oleksandr Korniienko, expressing his gratitude to the British people for providing shelter to more than 160,000 Ukrainians.

“Involvement of private capital and business is one of the components of Ukraine’s post-war recovery,” said Oleksandr Korniienko, stressing that the time has come to create a broad coalition for recovery: “We have to use the existing work and experience of governments, as well as the existing capabilities and interest of the private sector, to join forces to effectively rebuild Ukraine.”

In addition, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that the Conference should become a powerful impetus for intensifying the efforts of governments and international financial institutions to engage international business in Ukraine’s recovery and provide it with the necessary support. The concrete decisions and agreements reached these days in London will form the basis for the next steps in the reconstruction and economic development of our country.

“Despite all the difficulties of wartime, we are actively working to create the most favourable business environment in our country. Internal reforms are ongoing. We are constantly fighting corruption and have visible results,” said Oleksandr Korniienko.

He also noted that Ukraine needs further assistance from its partners: “We need the leadership of the UK to make Ukraine a model of resilience – a case where the civilised world not only united and repelled aggression, but also eliminated its terrible consequences.”

Olena Shuliak: The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has pledged to develop a comprehensive recovery programme

“During the year of war, we have changed some of the standards related to the green course, energy efficiency, as well as the use of the latest building materials and technologies,” said Olena Shuliak, the Chair of the Committee on State Building, Local Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning. She added that this is a guarantee that Ukraine will be rebuilt using European experience and European standards.

In addition, Olena Shuliak said that the second principle of recovery is mandatory planning: “The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has committed itself to developing a Comprehensive Recovery Programme. It is formed at the local level and takes into account a number of important indicators.” This includes the economic factor, as thousands of businesses in Ukraine have been forced to move to safe areas, others have closed, and some have found an opportunity to reopen.

Oleh Kulinich: The success of the recovery process depends on the ability to ensure transparency and efficient use of resources

“We are fully aware that the success of the recovery process depends not only on the funding itself, but also on our ability to ensure transparency, accountability and efficient use of resources,” said Oleh Kulinich, the member of the Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy. He noted that this primarily concerns improving the legislative framework and establishing progressive transparent mechanisms for attracting and using resources. “It is important to ensure that funding is directed to the sectors that have the greatest impact on social recovery and sustainable development,” the Ukrainian MP added.

Lesia Vasylenko: We are working to change the rules of the IPU and OSCE PA to limit russia’s influence

“The UK-Ukraine ties have been strengthened when we worked at the level of delegations on various platforms: in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), PACE, NATO and OSCE parliamentary assemblies,” said Lesia Vasylenko, the member of the Committee on Environmental Policy and Natural Resources.

She also stressed that the UK has always supported Ukraine in demanding a tougher and fairer response to russia’s political aggression in the international arena. “We are working together to change the rules of the IPU and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to limit russia’s influence,” said the co-chair of the Verkhovna Rada’s group on interparliamentary relations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Aliona Shkrum: Confiscation of russian assets should be an economic counter-attack

Aliona Shkrum, the member of the Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy, stressed that the confiscation of russian state assets should be an economic and legal counter-attack.

“The decision we have come to can and should be implemented and pushed by the governments of different countries very, very soon,” the Ukrainian MP emphasised.

She also expressed her gratitude that the Conference on the Restoration of Ukraine has a parliamentary component.

The Ukrainian parliamentary delegation, headed by the First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko, included MPs of Ukraine: Dmytro Natalukha, Anastasiia Radina, Olena Shuliak, Lesia Vasylenko, Aliona Shkrum, David Arakhamia and Oleh Kulinich.

On the Ukrainian side, the Joint High-Level Statement of Intent was signed by the Co-Chairs of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Parliamentary Group on Interparliamentary Relations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Dmytro Natalukha and Lesia Vasylenko, and on the UK side by the Co-Chairs of the relevant group in the UK Parliament, Robert Seely and Alex Sobel.

The draft document in the original language is attached.

HIGH-LEVEL JOINT STATEMENT OF INTENT

Between the Ukraine All-Party Parliamentary Group of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the All-Party Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

The Ukraine All-Party Parliamentary Group of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (APPG)

and

The All-Party Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Jointly referred to as ‘the Parties’

ACKNOWLEDGING that this agreement constitutes a statement of intent to promote a lasting relationship between the Parties based on common values.

CONVINCED that strategic cooperation and friendship between the United Kingdom and Ukraine are in the best interest of both states.

RECOGNISING that this agreement is intended to improve coordination and strengthen relations, including in ambitious and innovative ways; and to deepen understanding of the assistance Ukraine requires, and to help facilitate support being provided.

COMMITTED to facilitating exchanges of information by establishing deepened connections between the Parties.

CONFIRMING that this is a statement of political intent, designed by the Parties as a basis for deeper co-operation and understanding; it should not be interpreted as a binding agreement imposing legal obligations upon either party.

Have agreed as follows to:

1. Exchange approaches to international best practice on parliamentary and democratic processes, and provide peer-to-peer learning and capacity building support of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on implementation of the reforms in Ukraine [including transparent communication and resilience building];

2. Discuss understandings of the principles governing parliamentary democracy, including ethical standards and prioritization of citizens’ needs.

3. Ensure cooperation and coordination on communication and messaging to the international community and to international partners with joint statements on the issues of mutual interest;

4. Commit to organising dialogues on areas of mutual interest for example Defence and security issues;

5. Intensify inter-parliamentary dialogue and mutual visits of parliamentary delegations, launch a program of short-term parliamentary exchanges and study visits for MPs with a view to facilitate Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction;

6. Consult regularly in order to share information, to discuss progress and to consider how to best implement and develop this [partnership], including by coming together at a follow up event intended to be held later this year.