Oleksandr Korniienko: We highly appreciate the cooperation of the European Economic and Social Committee with Ukraine

The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko held a working meeting with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee Oliver Roepke.

“We highly appreciate the Committee’s cooperation with Ukraine and welcome the adoption of three resolutions on the Russian war in Ukraine,” the First Deputy Speaker said, noting that this is a clear signal of support for the Ukrainian people, including civil society: “Our country is not alone in its fight against the aggressor and is part of the European family.”

During the meeting, the parties discussed a number of important issues, including the launch of a platform for exchanging views and practices on Ukrainian and European legislative initiatives in the field of social dialogue. They also discussed the process of selecting civil society representatives from Ukraine to participate in the work of the European Social and Economic Committee. The “ECM” (“Enlargement Candidate Members”) initiative, a political priority proposed by Oliver Roepke, the President of the Committee, was positively received by the participants of the meeting.

In addition, Oleksandr Korniienko expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to hold regular meetings of the EU-Ukraine Civil Society Platform. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the dialogue between civil society representatives, especially in the context of Ukraine’s European integration path.

At the same time, the First Vice-Speaker informed his colleague about the implementation of the recommendations and stressed Ukraine’s expectations to open the accession negotiations this year.

“Our people are fighting for democracy, for freedom, independence, for each of us. This is not just about Ukraine, it is a war for Europe,” said Oleksandr Korniienko.

Oliver Roepke, the President of the European Economic and Social Committee, said: “The Ukrainian Parliament is standing up for European democratic values even in times of war. Rebuilding and restoring Ukraine will take time, but it is achievable if we work together with our social partners and civil society.”

“The European Economic and Social Committee will continue to support Ukraine and its civil society through initiatives such as the Enlargement Candidate Membership, as well as through capacity building and drawing on the experience of EU Member States with recent post-war recovery experience,” said Oliver Roepke, noting that Ukraine’s future lies in the European Union: “The Committee’s efforts will not stop until these words become reality.”

The meeting was also attended by people’s deputies of Ukraine – the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union Vadym Halaichuk, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Administrative and Territorial Structure and Local Self-Government of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on State Building, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning Vitalii Bezhin and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Protection of Children Affected by the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine since 2014 of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights, Tetiana Tsyba. 

This press release was originally published on the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine's website.