Support for Ukraine and the path towards EU accession: results of the Ukrainian delegation's visit to Brussels
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Oleksandr Korniienko, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, held several bilateral meetings with European parliamentarians during a working visit to Brussels on March 18-19. The visit was part of participation in the conference "Enhancing Public Participation: The Role of Parliaments in Public Engagement and Outreach".
The delegation members informed the Chair of the S&D political group, Iratxe García Pérez, about the situation in Ukraine, particularly in the humanitarian aspect. They also discussed issues of European integration and key tasks on this path. Oleksandr Korniienko expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided to Ukraine in this difficult time.
During the meeting with Adam Bielan, Coordinator in the AFET Committee from the ECR Group, attention was paid to security issues. The Ukrainian side stressed that Ukraine's security is an integral part of the stability of the entire European continent. "We are grateful for the strong position on Ukraine and the support provided," said the First Vice-Speaker.
The Permanent Rapporteur of the European Parliament on Ukraine, Michael Haller, confirmed the unchanged position on supporting Ukraine's European aspirations. During the meeting, Oleksandr Korniienko stressed that full membership in the EU remains a strategic goal of the Ukrainian state and its people, and the Parliament is working to achieve it.
The negotiation process for Ukraine's EU accession, particularly the significant role of the Verkhovna Rada, was discussed with Sergey Lagodinsky, the Vice-President of the Greens/European Free Alliance political group and the Co-Chair of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. They paid special attention to agricultural issues.
The Ukrainian delegation discussed the subject of European integration and the negotiation process with Pekka Toveri, the Head of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee (EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee).
A fruitful meeting was also held with Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations. The main topic of the conversation was Ukraine's legislative plans and the implementation of the Ukraine Facility Plan. Separately, they raised the topic of legislation on national minorities (communities).
The Ukrainian delegation continues an active dialogue with European partners to strengthen support for Ukraine and further progress on the path of European integration.
For reference:
The Ukrainian parliamentary delegation, led by Oleksandr Korniienko, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, participated in the international conference " Enhancing Public Participation: The Role of Parliaments in Public Engagement and Outreach", which took place on March 18-19, 2025 in Brussels (Belgium).
The conference was organized within the framework of the Inter Pares program, implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in cooperation with the European Parliament and its Directorate-General for External Relations.
The participants of the event discussed, in particular, the European Parliament's experience in building effective communication and forming the brand of the institution, as well as the best communication practices of its political groups.
The Ukrainian delegation included:
- Vadym Halaichuk - First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Integration of Ukraine with the EU;
- Serhii Kalchenko – Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Deputy Ethics and Organization of Work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine;
- Vitalii Bezghin and Tamila Tasheva – members of the the Committee on Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning;
- Viktoriia Podhorna – member of the Committee on Digital Transformation;
- Oleksandr Haidu – Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy.