PRESS RELEASE : After the adoption of the law on national minorities, Ukraine has become one step closer to the European Union – Ihor Zhovkva [December 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 13 December 2022.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva had a phone call with Director of the Spanish EU Presidency Coordination Office María Aurora Mejía Errasquín.

The interlocutors paid the main attention to Ukraine’s progress in implementing the recommendations of the European Commission, which are necessary for further progress towards EU membership.

Ihor Zhovkva informed the Spanish side about the recent achievements of our state on this path, in particular about the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the Law of Ukraine “On National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine” in the second reading.

“After the adoption of this law, Ukraine has become one step closer to the European Union. Two more draft laws in the framework of the implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission are under consideration by the Parliament and I hope they will be adopted in the near future. In this regard, we count on the European Union taking into account Ukraine’s progress in implementing the recommendations already in the spring of 2023,” said the Deputy Head of the President’s Office.

The security situation in Ukraine and the functioning of the energy industry were discussed separately.

Ihor Zhovkva noted Spain’s prompt and significant assistance in maintaining the work of the Ukrainian energy sector, which suffered significant destruction as a result of massive missile attacks by the Russian Federation.

The Deputy Head of the Office of the President thanked Spain for practical participation in the initiative of the President of Ukraine to support the poorest countries in the world, Grain from Ukraine.

The important role played by Spanish military aid in Ukraine’s defense of its independence, protection of citizens’ lives and critical infrastructure facilities was also noted.

“We count on the active participation and leadership of Spain along with other countries of the world in the practical implementation of the peace formula proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This will be an important brick for rebuilding the global security architecture,” Ihor Zhovkva summarized.