Business news from Ukraine

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTED FOR EXTENSION OF DIGITAL CERTIFICATE OF VACCINATION AGAINST COVID

The EU digital certificate of vaccination or a past COVID-19 disease must be extended until June 2023, European deputies came to this conclusion at a session of the European Parliament (EP) on Thursday in Strasbourg.
The EP supported the respective decision of the committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs and approved by an overwhelming majority a proposal to negotiate with EU member states (EU Council) for a one-year extension of the certificate, which will expire on 30 June.
In order to respect the freedom of movement in the EU, MEPs clarified the proposals put forward to renew this certificate, emphasizing that Member States should not impose additional restrictions on the movement of citizens holding such a digital European certificate, except in cases of absolute necessity.
“If such restrictions are necessary, they should be limited, proportionate and based on the latest scientific assessments of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the EU Committee for Sanitary Safety,” the EP notes.
At the end of April, European Commission (EC) spokesman Christian Wiegand said that the EU digital certificate was a success and the EC is proposing to extend it for another year.
“The certificate will expire at the end of June. We proposed a one-year extension for the simple reason that we do not know how the epidemiological situation will develop in the coming months, in particular in the fall. We have already seen that new strains may appear,” the press officer said. secretary.
“And in any case, you should always be on the lookout and have this very useful tool that is still being used in some countries,” Wiegand explained, answering the question, what is the future of the certificate, given that some EU states no longer use it.

, , ,

SESSION OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS SITUATION AROUND UKRAINE

The humanitarian consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as recommendations on spending on Ukraine in the EU budget, will be among the central topics of the plenary session of the European Parliament (EP), which will be held from April 4 to 7 in Strasbourg.
On Tuesday in Strasbourg, MEPs will discuss with the European Commission (EC) and the EU Council the possibilities of helping Ukrainian children fleeing military operations, in particular, protecting them from human trafficking and exploitation.
Following the launch on March 3 of a temporary protection mechanism for refugees from Ukraine, giving them the right to temporary EU residence, access to education and the labor market, the EC and the French Presidency of the Council of the EU are working on a 10-point plan that will “strengthen the common European response”. It will include the EU registration platform and the coordination of transport services for refugees, specific recommendations for the reception and support of children and adolescents from Ukraine. A corresponding resolution is expected to be adopted on Thursday.
According to UNICEF, almost half of Ukrainian refugees are minors who need enhanced protection as they are at greater risk of being trafficked and exploited.
The Ukrainian topic will also be in the parliamentary discussion on the priorities of the EU budget for 2023.
The MPs will call on the EU to “guarantee significant funding to address the geopolitical consequences of the current crisis, including support for humanitarian measures and ensuring preparedness for the reception of refugees in member states and in the countries of the Eastern Neighborhood.” On Tuesday, budget recommendations for 2023 will be put to a vote.
On Wednesday morning, the deputies will discuss the results of the March EU summit. The debate will be attended by European Council President Charles Michel and EC President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
At the March 24-25 summit, EU leaders had a wide-ranging discussion about the Russian war against Ukraine, international restrictions against Russia and the overall implications for the EU economy, with a focus on energy prices. US President Joe Biden attended the meeting in person, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remotely. A resolution will be adopted on the basis of the parliamentary debate on the results of the EU summit.
A separate debate on Tuesday evening will focus on the results of the EU-China Virtual Summit on Friday 1 April. It focused on the international consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine and the position of China, as well as the future of bilateral relations between the EU and China, especially in the areas of trade and security.
On Tuesday, the session has time for questions and answers. The leaders of the European Council, the European Commission and the head of EU diplomacy will answer questions from European parliamentarians on a wide range of topics. Separately, the head of diplomacy Borrell will report. He will focus on the “Strategic Compass” – a project to strengthen the autonomy of the EU in the field of defense and security.
The agenda of the plenary session includes the traditional topics of the “green transition”, energy transformation, combating climate change, as well as human rights and the rule of law in Hungary and Poland and other issues.
On Wednesday, the EP will hold an urgent debate on human rights and on Thursday will adopt, respectively, three resolutions.

, ,

PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE CALLS VISIT OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT TO UKRAINE MANIFESTATION OF HEROISM

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has called the visit of head of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola to Ukraine against the background of the war a manifestation of heroism.

“I would like to sincerely thank you personally, Roberta, and all your team for the fact that at such an important moment for our country, when Ukrainians believe in deeds and concrete steps, you demonstrate heroism to come to Ukraine. And today it is heroism,” Zelensky said during his meeting with Metsola in Kyiv.

He also thanked the head of the European Parliament for the joint telephone talks held several times before the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

“The result of these conversations was your appeal to parliamentarians, the world community and some kind of support for Ukraine at the level of the European Parliament. And we highly appreciate these steps. Today we look through the prism of ‘friends and foes’, because we do not have time and there is no gray color for us in international diplomacy. Therefore, the issue of survival is acute. We are glad that you are on the side of light and kindness towards Ukraine,” he added.

Zelensky noted that he was unable to leave Kyiv and personally address the European Parliament, but expressed confidence that “nevertheless, today the voice of Ukraine is heard.”

“And I am glad that there is no status and pathos in our relationship. You have arrived, and this is a very important sign. We will never forget this,” he concluded.

By the decree of the President of Ukraine dated March 31, Roberta Metsola was awarded the Order of Princess Olga.

,

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTED “YES” TO EC TO GRANT UKRAINE STATUS OF EU CANDIDATE

The European Parliament voted “yes” to a resolution calling on the institutions of the European Union to work towards granting Ukraine the status of an EU candidate, thus recognizing Ukraine’s European perspective.
The corresponding document was voted on Tuesday as part of an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament. Some 676 voted, of which 637 gave their affirmative votes, 13 were against, and 26 abstained.
The European Parliament calls on the EU institutions to work towards granting Ukraine candidate status for the EU in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union and on merit basis, and in the meantime continue to work towards its integration into the EU single market in accordance with the Association Agreement, the resolution says.

, , , ,

MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO VISIT UKRAINE IN 3 DAYS

Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Security and Defense will travel to Ukraine from January 30 to February 2 to gather information on the current crisis.
As reported on the website of the European Parliament on Wednesday, a delegation of eight MEPs led by Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister (Germany) and Security and Defense Subcommittee Chair Nathalie Loizeau (France) will carry out a fact-finding mission to Ukraine on Sunday.
“During the visit… MEPs will observe the situation on the ground, and demonstrate the European Parliament’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people and its opposition to any steps by Russia to further escalate the crisis. The visit is part of large-scale diplomatic effort to de-escalate the situation and avoid the disastrous consequences of a possible war in Ukraine,” the European Parliament said.
The delegation of the European Parliament will meet with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and has requested meetings with the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers and the deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. They will also hold talks with the Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council and Members of the Verkhova Rada’s Committees on Foreign Affairs, on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union, and on Security and Defence.
According to the statement, in the resolution adopted in December on Ukraine, the European Parliament expressed support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

,

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT REITERATES ITS SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE’S INDEPENDENCE

The European Parliament reaffirmed its continued support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, continuing to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and the de facto occupation of certain regions in the east by Russia.
This is discussed in the section “Cooperation in the field of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP)” of the resolution on Ukraine’s implementation of the Association Agreement, voted by the European Parliament during the plenary session. The spokesperson was deputy from the European People’s Party Michael Gahler (Germany).
“The European Parliament Reiterates the Union’s unwavering support for and commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and its support for the internationally coordinated sanctioning of the Russian Government and agents who are undermining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to the resolution.
In addition, the European Parliament ontinues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the de facto occupation of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk and calls on the Russian Federation to fulfil its international obligations, to withdraw its military forces from the territory of Ukraine.
The European Parliament also welcomes the resumption of the peace talks under the Normandy four format on 9 December 2019 in Paris after a deadlock of three years.
The European Parliament strongly condemns Russia’s destabilising actions and military involvement in Ukraine; expresses concern about Russia’s ongoing build-up of military facilities and installations in the Crimean Peninsula. In addition, the European Parliament condemned Russia’s illegal actions aimed at seizing control of the Kerch Strait, as they constitute a breach of international maritime law and Russia’s international commitments, in particular the construction of the Kerch Bridge and its rail link without Ukraine’s consent, the laying of underwater cables and the closing up and militarisation of the Azov Sea, which severely hinders Ukraine’s economic activities. The European Parliament called on the Russian Federation to ensure unhindered and free passage to and from the Azov Sea in line with international law, and access to the occupied Ukrainian territories of Donbas and annexed Crimea for international non-governmental organizations and international humanitarian organisations and to release of all Ukrainian political prisoners and prisoners of war in Russia, Crimea and the parts of Donbas not controlled by the Ukrainian Government.
The European Parliament also considers it possible for the Commission and the European External Action Service to intensify their efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
In addition, the European Parliament called on the EU High Representative, the Commission and the member states to provide the necessary support for the creation of the Crimean International Platform, which will coordinate, formalize and systematize efforts aimed at restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

, ,