Oleksandr Korniienko took part in the Forum of Slovenian-Ukrainian Cooperation during his working visit to Lviv
First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko made a working visit to Lviv, during which he delivered a speech at the Forum of Slovenian-Ukrainian Cooperation: Strengthening Partnership for Recovery and Rebuilding.
The event was dedicated to the role of municipal partnerships in post-war renovation of Ukraine, uniting a wide range of representatives of state and local authorities of Ukraine and Slovenia, international experts, diplomats, parliamentarians, as well as representatives of business and the public sector.
«It is especially symbolic to talk about recovery in Lviv. A city that has proved many times in its history that it is able to hold on, to survive, not to lose its dignity and remain open to the world. Lviv knows what challenges are, but it also knows how to respond to them - with courage and dignity,» Oleksandr Korniienko said.
The forum focused on key issues related to Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, with particular emphasis on the role of international municipal partnerships, especially between Ukraine and Slovenia. Participants shared their experiences in areas such as local community development, waste management, housing policy, and integration with the European Union.
A significant event was the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German organization GIZ, which strengthens international cooperation in the field of recovery.
«This is another step towards genuine cooperation based on trust, experience, and a shared vision,» emphasized the First Deputy Speaker.
During the discussions, participants outlined strategic priorities and goals for local and regional development, focusing on strengthening community capacity, implementing sustainable solutions in infrastructure recovery, and advancing Ukraine’s European integration prospects with Slovenia’s support.
In his speech, First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko focused on the complex issue of Ukraine’s recovery following russian military aggression.
First Deputy Speaker also expressed his gratitude to Slovenia for its comprehensive support of Ukraine — political, military, humanitarian, and for its strong advocacy of Ukraine’s European integration. Special thanks were extended to European Commissioner Marta Kos, who represents Slovenia, for her unwavering and inspiring support for Ukraine’s aspiration to join the European Union.
Oleksandr Korniienko outlined the key principles of recovery: human-centeredness, decentralization, transparency, and innovation. He emphasized that recovery must be based on the needs of specific communities and implemented at the level of local self-government, which has the most accurate understanding of local challenges and priorities.
He also drew attention to the rapid development of the digital ecosystem for accountable recovery management — DREAM — which already encompasses over 15,000 projects. According to him, the Verkhovna Rada has provided the legislative foundation and ensures parliamentary oversight of the effective use of international aid.
The First Deputy Speaker emphasized that the state budget already includes recovery programs, in particular — compensation for destroyed housing.
The Slovenian-Ukrainian Cooperation Forum served as an important platform for consolidating the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities, international partners, donors, civil society, and the business community, laying a solid foundation for further coordination and implementation of effective recovery projects.
The First Deputy Speaker also held a separate meeting with the head of the Slovenian delegation — State Secretary of the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia, Srečko Đurov. The parties discussed opportunities to strengthen inter-municipal partnerships, share experiences on EU integration, and implement joint study visits and projects in the field of regional development.