On 20-23 November 2016 Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij carried out a working visit to Paris, France, where he participated in events marking the anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932-33, and met with high-ranking officials of France and civil society.
On 20 November 2016 Eugene Czolij participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Eternal Flame at the Arc de Triomphe, which included the participation of the Eparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great in Paris for Ukrainian Greek Catholics in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland, Bishop Borys Gudziak, Ambassador of Ukraine in France Oleh Shamshur, Director General of the Directorate General for Ukrainians Abroad, Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Larysa Dir, President of the Representative Committee of Ukrainians in France Tarass Horiszny and representatives of the local Ukrainian community.
The UWC President, together with the participants of the wreath-laying ceremony, then attended a Divine Liturgy in Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, celebrated by Bishop Borys Gudziak and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris Eric de Мoulins-Beaufort,and dedicated to the victims of the Holodomor, fallen Heroes of the Revolution of Dignity and the war in Eastern Ukraine.
While in Paris, Eugene Czolij held a series of meetings with high-ranking officials of France during which he expressed gratitude to France for its participation in the Normandy format, and called upon France to continue its support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression,including with targeted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements and de-occupies Crimea. The UWC President also highlighted reforms in Ukraine and specific means of overcoming corruption, including with the e-declaration of assets by Ukrainian civil servants. Eugene Czolij also called upon high-ranking officials of France to seek ways to conclude the ratification process for the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement without modifying the Agreement, and to support the implementation of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens taking into account the fulfillment of all conditions by Ukraine.
In addition, the UWC President held separate meetings with Bishop Borys Gudziak and the local Ukrainian community.
The UWC President was accompanied to the meetings by the President of the Representative Committee of Ukrainians in France Tarass Horiszny and UWC Liaison Officer for International Organizations Maryna Iaroshevych.
“The trip to France offered an opportunity to discuss with French high-ranking officials issues of priority for Ukraine and the European Union, including France,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
More information on the wreath-laying ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe and the Diving Liturgy in Notre-Dame Cathedral is available on the website of the Embassy of Ukraine in France.
