Vitaliy Klitschko, Chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Cities and Mayor of Kyiv, takes part in the meeting of the European Committee of the Regions in Prague to show support for efforts by the Committee and Czech Presidency of the EU for Ukraine's reconstruction.
The European Committee of the Regions offers its full and strong support to Ukrainian cities and regions, its President, Vasco Cordeiro, said on 16 September, saying that EU regions and cities will continue to support Ukrainian local and regional authorities over the long term.
The statements came at a meeting of the European Committee of the Regions
in Prague, hosted in cooperation with the Czech Presidency of the EU and
which also saw the participation of Czech Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš
and the Mayor of Prague, Zdeněk Hřib, a member of the CoR. Members
discussed the consequences of the war against Ukraine for people in the
European Union, and also how a newly formed Alliance of Cities and Regions
for the Reconstruction of Ukraine could support Ukraine's local communities
as they try to cope with the effects of Russia's invasion.
Vasco Alves Cordeiro
, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said: "It is an
honour for the European Committee of the Regions to welcome Vitaliy
Klitschko, Chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Cities and Mayor of
Kyiv. I cannot underline enough our sincere, strong and unconditional
support to fellow Ukrainian local and regional representatives and the
entire population in the fight against tyranny and for the values we all
share. We hand him the honorary membership of the Committee not as a
symbol, but as an assertion of our commitment to Ukrainian regions and
cities. We are grateful to the Czech presidency for their support and their
leadership in forging European solutions. We need to work fast to make sure
the winter will not put European solidarity at risk. Regions and cities are
doing their part and their role must be recognised". Following an
invitation from Mayor Klitschko and Ukraine's Minister for Communities and
Territories Oleksiy Chernyshov, President Cordeiro announced he will travel
to Kyiv to show solidarity.
Speaking on behalf of the Czech Presidency of the EU,
Ivan Bartoš
, Deputy Prime Minster of the Czech Republic, said: "It is obvious that the
most pressing issue for the whole Europe are energy crisis and impacts of
the war in Ukraine. I am strongly convinced that the only way how to
successfully get out of this situation is close European cooperation across
the EU and with third countries. So I am honoured to host the meeting of
the Bureau of the European Committee of the Regions aimed at looking for
possible solutions how to face our common challenges, since we are
partners. Stability and renewed prosperity – those are our strategic
goals."
Vitaliy Klitschko
, Chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Cities and Mayor of Kyiv, said:
"We are very grateful to all our partners and friends who help Ukraine. And
it's good that you understand: Ukraine is fighting not only for its state
and freedom. Today, we are defending stability and peace throughout Europe.
And it comes at a very high cost. In the future, our cooperation with you
should be more systematic, more effective – in particular, in assisting
with the restoration of Ukrainian cities and towns, houses of their
residents, and infrastructure."
Apostolos Tzitzikostas
, First Vice-President of the CoR and Governor of Central Macedonia, said:
"Regions and cities across Europe have been helping each other for decades,
across borders. But never before perhaps has there been such a large and
sudden need for solidarity. We can help re-build Ukraine from the bottom
up."
The European Committee of the Regions launched an Alliance of Cities and
Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine in June, in response to a request
from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and with the support of the Presidents
of the European Council and the European Commission. The Association of
Ukrainian Cities is a partner of the Alliance. The Alliance attracted
significant new support on 16 September, with the Pact of Free Cities –
formed in 2020 by the mayors of Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, and Warsaw –
formally joining the Alliance.
The Alliance will form part of an emerging EU platform that will coordinate
reconstruction efforts for Ukraine, including support for the work of local
and regional administrations. Mayor Klitschko has played a critical role in
trying to translate expressions of goodwill by cities and regions across
the world into practical support.
Mayor Klitschko has been working with the European Committee of the Regions
for several years, most recently through the Committee's Working Group
Ukraine, and in March the CoR made him its first honorary member. Mayor
Klitschko's visit to Prague provided the Committee with its first
opportunity to confer the honour on him in person.
Notes to editors:
-
Press conference
: Available on-demand via
Europe by Satellite
.
-
Communication
of the European Commission on Ukraine – Relief and Reconstruction (18
May).
-
Stat
ement
of the President of the European Committee of the Regions (18 May), in
response to the European Commission communication on Ukraine – Relief
and Reconstruction.
-
Press release
: "Cities and regions launch Alliance for Ukraine's reconstruction" (30
June).
-
Webpage
of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction
of Ukraine.
Contacts:
Monica Tiberi
, President's spokesperson, +32 479 51 74 43.
Andrew Gardner
, press officer, +32 473 843 981.
Stephanie Paillet
, audiovisual support, +32 473 522 988.