First Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Oleksandr Korniyenko made a working visit to the Czech Republic
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Korniyenko, participated in the 28th annual "FORUM 2000" conference titled "Proving Democracy's Resolve and Resilience" during his working visit to the Czech Republic from October 13 to 14, 2024.
During the visit, Oleksandr Korniyenko also held meetings with the leadership of the Senate of the Czech Republic. In particular, he met with the President of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil.
“This is an excellent opportunity to express once again our gratitude for the unwavering support from the Czech Republic, which the Ukrainian people deeply feel. It's important to maintain our communication and cooperation,” the First Deputy Chairman said at the beginning of the meeting.
He also briefed the President of the Czech Senate on the current situation in Ukraine and the battlefield. Korniyenko outlined the needs of Ukrainian soldiers and provided detailed information on the consequences of enemy attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Oleksandr Korniyenko emphasized Ukraine's deep appreciation for the assistance provided and the decisions made in Ukraine's favor. He expressed the need to deepen interparliamentary cooperation.
The First Deputy Chairman also met with the Vice President of the Senate, Jitka Seitlová, and Senators Pavel Fischer, Jiří František Oberfalzer, and Petr Štěpánek.
Oleksandr Kornyienko expressed his gratitude to the entire Czech people for their support of Ukrainians, especially those who have become displaced persons, as well as for the humanitarian and military aid provided to Ukraine.
He further thanked the Czech Senate for passing important resolutions, including the recognition of the 1932–1933 Holodomor as a genocide. He also stressed the importance of restoring historical justice by recognizing the 1944 deportation of the Crimean Tatar people as an act of genocide.
An important topic of discussion was the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. "We must collectively ensure the implementation of all its proposed points," emphasized Korniyenko.
The meeting also touched on the need for assistance to Ukraine's civilian population, particularly during the winter, given the challenges posed by attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Separately, Korniyenko updated his Czech counterparts on Ukraine's EU integration path, including recent bilateral meetings within the screening process in Brussels. He emphasized that the Verkhovna Rada is actively working to advance the next stages of the negotiation process.
Discussing prospects for further cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments, the First Deputy Chairman proposed creating the Ukraine-Czechia Interparliamentary Assembly to strengthen future collaboration.
During his visit to the Czech Republic, Oleksandr Korniyenko also participated in a panel discussion at the "FORUM 2000" conference titled "Parliament at War: Lessons from Ukrainian Democracy in Action."
In his address to the "FORUM 2000" participants, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized that Ukraine is facing a full-scale invasion and war. "We all know who is responsible, and the criminal has a name," he stated.
Speaking about the work of the Ukrainian Parliament during wartime, Korniyenko noted that despite all the challenges posed by the war, the primary goal was to ensure the continued operation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, a task that has been successfully fulfilled. He shared insights into the Parliament’s functioning under martial law and outlined the key decisions made by the Verkhovna Rada.
The First Deputy Chairman reminded the audience that on February 24 at 8:00 a.m., the Verkhovna Rada fulfilled its constitutional duty, with MPs gathering and voting on the necessary decisions for the country at that critical moment.
He pointed out that in 2022, there were more restrictions compared to 2024. "Now, we are making every effort to ensure that the Parliament is more open. This includes both the media access and the internal functions of the legislative body. The Government Question Hour, an important element of parliamentary oversight, has been reinstated. Additionally, much work is being done in committees, with the participation of relevant ministries, government officials, and experts to find the best solutions. However, it is crucial to balance transparency and openness with the physical security of MPs and others," Korniyenko noted.
"We wouldn't wish anyone to live in a state of war," Korniyenko stressed, "and the most important lesson for all countries is to prevent such a situation from happening, as it did in our country."
To achieve this, according to the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, it is essential to secure a just victory, ensure accountability for the guilty, and punish all crimes committed on Ukrainian soil. "Everyone in the world must understand that evil does not go unpunished, and no one should dare to repeat such horrors," he emphasized.
Korniyenko also met with Tomáš Kopečný, the Governmental Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. He noted that the Czech Republic was one of the first countries to adopt a national program for Ukraine's reconstruction, demonstrating the high level of bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. "Your country is involved in building rehabilitation centers, restoring hospitals, and installing bridges to replace those destroyed by russian aggression," added the First Deputy Chairman, expressing special thanks for the patronage of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Discussing future cooperation, Korniyenko proposed expanding interregional partnerships and implementing reconstruction projects in Ukrainian regions bordering active combat areas, where the population needs systematic support, particularly in the winter period.
Finally, the parties discussed the challenges caused by the destruction of Ukrainian energy facilities due to russian attacks and ways to address them in Ukraine’s regions.