Ukrainian Diaspora Urges Orban to Support Ukraine's EU Integration
Date: 2023-12-14 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: DIASPORA
Ukrainian Call for EU Integration Support
The global Ukrainian Congress (SKY) and the Ukrainian Cultural Society in Hungary (TUKU) have jointly urged Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to throw his weight behind Ukraine's path towards European Union integration. During the European Council summit in Brussels, the two organizations penned an official letter signed by SKY President Pavlo Grod and TUKU President and SKY's Second Vice President Yaroslava Khortian.
Emphasizing Mutual Interests
The letter underscores that Ukraine's full EU membership aligns entirely with the interests of the Hungarian people. It highlights Ukraine's impressive strides in implementing reforms aimed at aligning with EU standards. Notably, recent changes in Ukraine's national legislation regarding minority rights stand out among these efforts.
Ukraine's Progress and Rights Advocacy
The document acknowledges Ukraine's struggle for its right to exist as an independent, sovereign, and free nation. Simultaneously, it highlights the principled progress made in implementing outlined European Commission norms of European legislation.
Encouraging Principled Support
Given these circumstances, SKY leaders call upon Prime Minister Orban to take a principled stand and support the European Council's decision to initiate negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU.
Strengthening European Security
The letter emphasizes that Ukraine's EU membership is primarily a matter of European security and stability. With its battle-hardened military and a populace devoted to European values, Ukraine stands to significantly enhance the capabilities and resilience of the European bloc against external threats. It underscores Hungary's gains politically, economically, and in terms of security from this strategic move.
Continued Support and Prior Appeals
This appeal follows prior calls from the leadership and members of the Ukrainian Society "Nova Khvylia" in Hungary to Prime Minister Orban, the government, and the National Assembly to endorse the commencement of negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
Recent EU Meetings
On December 11, the EU Foreign Affairs Council met in Brussels to coordinate member states' positions on extending aid to Ukraine ahead of the European Council meeting scheduled for December 14-15 in Brussels.
