UWC President Czolij Concludes Brussels

Visit to Promote Ukraine’s Euro-Integration

Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij concluded a five-day working visit to Brussels, Belgium, during which he met with high-ranking officials of the European Union (EU) and Belgium to discuss Ukraine’s Euro-integration. The beginning of the visit coincided with the 16^th EU-Ukraine Summit on 25 February and continued through 1 March 2013.

The UWC President discussed related issues with Members of the European Parliament (EP), including EP Vice Presidents Rainer Wieland and Miguel Angel Martinez, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Elmar Brok, and former EP President Jerzy Buzek, as well as, the President of the Senate of Belgium Sabine de Bethune, high-ranking Belgian officials, and Head of Ukraine`s Mission to the EU, Ambassador Kostiantyn Yelisieiev.

Eugene Czolij focused attention on the importance of signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which will send a positive signal to the people of Ukraine while providing a strong stimulus to democracy and social progress in the country. Eugene Czolij also highlighted concrete actions by the EU that demonstrate its commitment to Ukraine.

The EU officials expressed their support for Ukraine’s Euro-integration. They stressed, however, that Ukraine`s authorities must now also take concrete steps to similarly demonstrate their commitment to the EU. This includes necessary reforms of the legal and judicial systems, adherence to the principles of democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the elimination of selective justice.

The visit concluded with a town hall meeting with the local Ukrainian community at the centre of the Association of Ukrainians in Belgium.

Details on the visit will follow over the coming days.