Brussels, 11/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 11 November, Petras Austrevicius MEP (ALDE, Lithuania) announced the creation of an informal Friends of Ukraine group. The constituent meeting of the group, which comprises 48 MEPs (from the EEP, S&D, ECR, ALDE and Greens/EFA Groups) from 18 countries, was held the previous day. The group will conduct its work complementing the regular activities of the Parliamentary Association Committee (the main inter-parliamentary framework between the European Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine).
“Many of the MEPs wish not to be limited to the formal structures of the Parliament. They are looking for additional opportunities and more flexible ways of how to assist Ukraine and its people, be better informed and expand useful contacts with the Ukrainian parliament and different civil society layers”, said Austrevicius, who has been appointed chair of the Friends of Ukraine group, to justify why the group has been formed. Michal Boni (EPP, Poland), Ana Gomes (S&D, Portugal), Mark Demesmaeker (ECR, Belgium) and Rebecca Harms (Greens/EFA, Germany) are vice-chairs of the group. (CG)