On 13-16 November 2016 Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij held a series of official meetings with high-ranking officials of the European Union (EU), NATO and Belgium on the issues of support for Ukraine and securing global peace and security.
The UWC President highlighted the importance of joint effective actions of the international community in the fight against the aggression of the Russian Federation which, grossly disregarding international law and its commitments, illegally occupied Crimea and continues its military actions in Eastern Ukraine. Eugene Czolij noted that by defending its territorial integrity, Ukraine is in fact stopping the advancement of Russian imperialism to the West. He called upon the EU and NATO to support Ukraine and to strengthen and extend targeted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements and de-occupies Crimea. In addition, the UWC President highlighted the importance of firmly defending the human rights of the residents of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine and Ukrainians in the Russian Federation.
The UWC President urged the EU to look for ways to complete the ratification process of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement without modifying this agreement and to immediately implement a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens taking into account the fulfillment of all criteria by Ukraine.
In addition, Eugene Czolij focused attention on the electronic declaration of assets by Ukrainian civil servants which was a significant step in the battle with corruption.
Eugene Czolij also met with the community of St. Volodymyr the Great Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
The UWC President was accompanied during the visit to Belgium by the UWC Liaison Officer for International Organizations Maryna Iaroshevych.
“The Ukrainian World Congress welcomes the decision of the Permanent Representatives Committee of the Council of the European Union from 17 November 2016 confirming support for visa-free travel for citizens of Ukraine and calls upon the European Parliament to conclude the process with its affirmative decision,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
Note:
On 17 November 2016, the Permanent Representatives Committee, on behalf of the Council of the European Union, confirmed the European Commission proposal to provide for visa-free travel for EU citizens when travelling to Ukraine and for citizens of Ukraine when travelling to the EU, for a period of a stay of 90 days in any 180-day period.
