28 November 2013
MEDIA RELEASE
UWC President addresses a Meeting of the Chairpersons of the Committees on Foreign Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union and the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy at the Parliament of Lithuania
On 28 November 2013 Ukrainian World Congress President (UWC) Eugene Czolij addressed a Meeting of the Chairpersons of the Committees on Foreign Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union and the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy “Parliaments for democracy: towards more ambitious global cooperation” at the Lithuanian Parliament in Vilnius.
In his statement, Eugene Czolij highlighted that, despite the decision of the governing authorities of Ukraine on 21 November 2013 to suspend the process toward the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians throughout Ukraine have spoken and continue to demonstrate their willingness to fulfill the nation’s European aspirations. The people of Ukraine are being supported by over 45 Euromaidans in more than 20 countries around the world.
“I call upon the EU not to ignore the very strong and united appeal of the Ukrainian people to be part of the EU,” stated Eugene Czolij. “I ask that you demonstrate that the EU has heard their appeal”.
At the end of this meeting, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania as the Presidency Parliament, issued several conclusions, including the following:
7. […] calls on the EU to keep the door open for Ukraine and not to abandon European aspirations and hopes of the Ukrainian people;
9. Deplores the blatant political and economic pressure that Russia has been applying to Ukraine […]
11.Stresses that notwithstanding the choices of the political leadership, the civil society in the Eastern Partnership countries is more mature than even before, as exemplified by the recent massive protests across Ukraine in favour of association with the EU, and that ultimately the success of the democratic reforms in these countries will depend on the strength and vitality of their civil societies[…].
Media Contact: Irene Mycak
UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS
145 Evans Ave., Suite 207
Toronto, ON
M8Z 5X8 Canada
website: www.ukrainianworldcongress.org
The UWC is the international coordinating body for Ukrainian communities in the diaspora representing the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians. The UWC has member organizations in 33 countries and ties with Ukrainians in 14 additional countries. Founded in 1967 as a non-profit corporation, the UWC was recognized in 2003 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with special consultative status.
