On 4-6 July 2018, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij fulfilled a working visit to Rome, Italy, where he raised with high-ranking officials, diplomats and representatives of civil society the importance of supporting Ukraine and discussed the continued cooperation of the UWC with the Ukrainian community.
During the meetings, the UWC President thanked Italy for its support of Ukraine within the European Union (EU), including the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and drew attention to its positive effects. He highlighted the significant reforms in Ukraine that are being realized on the backdrop of the hybrid aggression of the Russian Federation. In this context, Eugene Czolij emphasized the breadth of this aggression and the serious threat it poses for the entire international community, including Italy. In view of this, the UWC President noted that the recent statement of the Prime Minister of Italy regarding the reinstatement of the Russian Federation in the G8 was very problematic. Eugene Czolij then urged Italy to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and its Euro-integration processes, and to strengthen bilateral relations including economic and trade cooperation which would include increasing investments in Ukraine and the import of Ukrainian goods to Italy. In addition, the UWC President called upon Italy to recognize the Holodomor of 1932-33 as genocide of the Ukrainian people.
Questions about current events in Ukraine and the priorities of the UWC in support of Ukraine Eugene Czolij addressed during meetings with the Ambassador of Ukraine in Italy and the Ukrainian community. The UWC President also familiarized himself with the specifics of Ukrainian community life in Italy and discussed the means of continued cooperation with the UWC.
While in Italy, the UWC President was accompanied by Director of the UWC Mission to International Organizations in Brussels Maryna Iaroshevych.
“This visit was yet another step for the Ukrainian World Congress in furthering in Italy the interests of Ukraine and strengthening cooperation with the Ukrainian diaspora,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
List of individuals with whom the UWC President met:
Bugailiskis Alexandra, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Italy
De Carlo Sabrina, Member of the Committee on Foreign and European Community Affairs, Chamber of Deputies of Italy (Five Star Movement)
De Sanctis Guido, Head of Division for the Russian Federation, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy
D’Uva Francesco, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Five Star Movement, Chamber of Deputies of Italy
Ehm Yana, Member of the Committee on Foreign and European Community Affairs, Chamber of Deputies of Italy (Five Star Movement)
Feroci Ferdinando Nelli, Ambassador, President of the Institute for International Affairs
Grande Marta, Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign and European Community Affairs, Chamber of Deputies of Italy (Five Star Movement)
Grubb Jason, Political-Military Counselor to the Embassy of the United States of America to Italy
Mikhelidze Nona, Head of the Eastern Europe and Eurasia Programme at the Institute for International Affairs
Perelygin Yevhen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Italy
Quartapelle Lia, Member of the Committee on Foreign and European Community Affairs, Chamber of Deputies of Italy (Democratic Party)
In the photo from left: M. Iaroshevych, M. Grande and E. Czolij
