On the occasion of the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the European Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament issued the following statement:
“The leaders of the Political Groups of the European Parliament, meeting in the Conference of Presidents, today reiterate their unwavering solidarity with and pay tribute to the brave people of Ukraine, the laureates of the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, who are courageously defending their country’s independence and territorial integrity, while also defending freedom, democracy and their country’s European future against the brutal Russian regime. They express their deepest condolences to the families of the courageous citizens who have sacrificed their lives in defence of Ukraine. The European Union remains committed to supporting Ukraine in overcoming Russia’s war of aggression.
The Conference of Presidents welcomes the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the European Parliament. This is an important step in strengthening the multidimensional partnership, which is a crucial element in the preparation of Ukrainian political institutions for EU integration. This partnership will be reinforced by the establishment of a permanent European Parliament’s presence in Kyiv, developing and supporting our links with the Verkhovna Rada and the Ukrainian people.
On this occasion, the Conference of Presidents reiterates its strong support for the European Council’s decision to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine in 2022 and welcomes the positive recommendation from the European Commission on 8 November 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. It expects the recommendation to be confirmed by the European Council at its meeting in December. The Conference of Presidents trusts Ukraine will continue its constructive and ambitious approach towards the necessary reforms and to address the remaining requirements under the “seven reform steps” so that the Council and the Commission can set out a clear pathway for the accession negotiations to start swiftly. Political Group leaders reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine’s EU membership, which represents a geostrategic investment in a united and strong Europe.
The Conference of Presidents stresses that Ukraine is and will remain a priority for the European Parliament. Ukraine can count on the restless effort and commitment to uphold the legitimate ambitions and aspirations of the Ukrainian people. Political Groups leaders look forward to intensifying the cooperation with the Verkhovna Rada in 2024, including with inter-committee meetings and information visits around the European Parliament elections and beyond.”
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