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Committees of the tripartite Assembly of the Parliaments of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine discussed support for Ukraine’s preparations for EU membership, measures necessary for Ukraine’s reconstruction, and security issues

Press release, 7 December 2022 

Photo by Viktorija Chorna, Office of the Seimas

 

During the 12th session of the Assembly of Members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (tripartite Assembly), it was stressed that negotiations on Ukraine’s EU membership must start as soon as possible; that it was important to provide all the necessary support to Ukraine for its victory and reconstruction; and that a political decision needs to be made on Ukraine’s NATO membership.

 

The Committee on Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic Integration discussed Ukraine’s preparations for EU membership and the support of Lithuania and Poland in the preparation process. The Committee agreed on the need to do the utmost for Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations to begin as soon as possible. ‘The window of opportunity for EU membership is open. We must help Ukraine carry out the necessary reform, keep the EU updated on Ukraine’s progress, and request for the opening of membership negotiations as soon as possible, i.e. next year, before the window of opportunity is closed,’ Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, said in summary of the work of the Committee.

 

Representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine were called on preparing monthly progress reports to EU Member States ‘on progress not only in the seven areas identified by the European Commission, but also in all other areas in general,’ noted the Deputy Head of the Seimas Delegation to the tripartite Assembly who chaired the Committee meeting.

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

 

The joint meeting of the Committees on Trade and Economic Development, Regional and Local Cooperation and on Social and Cultural Cooperation discussed Ukraine’s reconstruction and the economic, energy and humanitarian support measures needed for the purpose. ‘The war in Ukraine shapes our daily decision-making context. We are strongly committed to providing Ukraine with all the political, military, economic, energy support and humanitarian aid needed to win the war and to rebuild the country.

 

Lithuania and Poland are current leaders in energy infrastructure. We promptly responded to Ukraine’s urgent need for energy support. The International Energy Cluster is an excellent example of practical cooperation in preparation for the reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure affected by active hostilities. The international community, in particular the European Union, must strive to ensure rapid and effective support,’ Paulius Saudargas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, said while chairing the joint Committee meeting.

 

The representatives of the delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, who spoke at the Committee meeting, pointed out that despite the ongoing war, Ukraine was developing, changing its legislation and putting every effort to both implement the EU requirements and to attract investment. He stressed that 100 % protection against missile strikes was particularly important in this regard. He also underlined the need to reform the medical sector because ‘at present, only urgent medical care and rehabilitation are provided.’

 

As a guest of the joint Committee meeting, Giedrė Balčytytė, Secretary General of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, reviewed the steps made in Lithuania to support Ukraine, presented a number of specific support measures, and mostly focused on the energy sector. She also presented a plan for Lithuania’s involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction.

 

The two Committees went on to discuss multilateral support and its coordination.

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

 

The Committee on Security Cooperation discussed the transatlantic, security and NATO components in the region as well as the enhancement of the deterrence and defence policy.

 

Raimundas Lopata, Chair of the Seimas Committee for the Future, who chaired the meeting at the session of the tripartite Assembly, summarised the work of the Committee on Security Cooperation. He noted that the key ideas from the speech of Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Chair of the Seimas Committee on National Security and Defence, guest rapporteur of the Committee, provided the guidelines for further discussion of the parliamentarians. ‘Ukraine is key to a new European security architecture. The steps covered by the formula ‘arms and weapons for Ukraine’ must be continued. The Committee discussed the need for victory over Russia and its containment within its borders; the requirement for Russia to pay reparation payments to Ukraine; the supporters of the regime to be held accountable; prospective demilitarisation of the Kaliningrad Region, and putting an end to the occupation of Belarus,’ Mr Lopata said.

 

Members of the Committee on Security Cooperation stressed the need for a political decision on Ukraine’s NATO membership at the NATO Summit in 2023. ‘We need to raise the question at the summit regarding the allocation of 4 % of GDP by the member countries and the extension of the formula ‘from battalion to brigade’ made known at the NATO Summit in Madrid to the formula ‘from brigade to division’ in Vilnius,’ Mr Lopata said. The need for running active parliamentary diplomacy, informed by the work of the tripartite Assembly, in discussing Ukraine’s NATO membership and the need for holding Russia accountable were underlined.

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

 

More information about the Assembly of Members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Sejm and the Senate of the Republic of Poland and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Seimas Delegation and its activities can be found HERE.

 

Monika Kutkaitytė, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6666, e-mail: [email protected]

 

 

 

   Last updated on 12/08/2022 15:19
   Monika Kutkaitytė