Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs: ‘We have to help Ukraine win for the sake of lasting peace and prosperity’

Press release, 18 September 2023                                                        

On 17–18 September 2023, Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs, is taking part at the Meeting of Chairpersons of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for European Union Affairs (COSAC). The meeting focuses on the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU; Ukraine’s future in Europe; as well as key priorities and initiatives for the coming year, which were mentioned by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in her State of the Union Address delivered on 17 September 2023.

At the Session on the future of Ukraine in Europe, Ms Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė said, ‘After World War II, my home country was fighting in the forests of Lithuania for ten years to defend the values that we are discussing here today. We were defending them against Russia. We were alone at that time. Ukrainians will fight successfully for as long as we provide assistance. We must continue doing so both militarily and politically. The sanctions have had an effect and we must keep on applying them.

Some are saying that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has not mentioned the word ‘peace’ in her State of the Union Address. I think it was a smart step, because, as we might hear today, there are different views.

I wish we could all understand and commit ourselves to the same message in that we will stand together with Ukraine until its victory! We have seen what the outcome of the “semi-peace” in Georgia was. It did not stop Russia. Let us grant Ukraine and Moldova membership of the European Union. Let's help others who show the will and commitment to be part of the EU.’

Photo by the Office of the Seimas

The participants of COSAC noted the importance of the EU enlargement process and stressed that it had to remain a common European priority. They also emphasised the importance of the EU’s strategic autonomy, economic growth, and green and digital agenda, with a particular focus on the issue of instrumentalisation of migration, increasing the EU’s economic resilience and competitiveness, and the reform of the EU electricity market.

The Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC) is a Conference bringing together the EU affairs committees of national Parliaments, as well as Members of the European Parliament, which is held every six months by the Parliament holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union. COSAC promotes a regular exchange of information and best practices between national Parliaments and the European Parliament.

LXX COSAC Plenary will take place on 26–28 November 2023.

Spain is holding the presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July to 31 December 2023. The country is focusing of four priorities, which include reindustrialising the EU, advancing the green transition and adapting to environmental conditions, promoting greater social and economic justice, and strengthening European unity.

Dainora Asevičienė, Head, Office of the Committee on European Affairs, tel. +370 8 5 239 6861