On Thursday 15 June, MEPs stressed the need to prioritise a comprehensive EU recovery plan for Ukraine, “which should focus on short-, medium- and long-term aid, reconstruction and recovery of the country”.
In a joint resolution adopted by the Greens/EFA, S&D, EPP, Renew Europe and CRE groups (425 votes in favour, 38 against and 42 abstentions), they call for this plan to receive EU funding which is “credible, adequate and in line with needs”. MEPs also stress the importance of good coordination and an appropriate division of labour between donors and Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian ownership of the reconstruction process.
“Kyiv has given priority to strengthening the rule of law, continuing to reform its judicial system and combating corruption, as progress in these areas will determine not only its progress towards Europe, but also the success of its reconstruction and recovery”, explain the MEPs.
They also stress that mine clearance and the elimination of unexploded ordnance are prerequisites for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
For the European Parliament, it is important to link the reconstruction of Ukraine with preparations for the country’s accession to the European Union and the national reforms which are underway. It believes that “the peace that Ukraine's victory will bring must be guaranteed by Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO”.
The European Parliament hopes that the Commission will make a positive recommendation concerning the fulfilment of the seven criteria put forward to open negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the EU. It also hopes that the summits in Vilnius in 2023 and Washington in 2024 will pave the way for Ukraine to be invited to join NATO, and that “the accession process will begin after the end of the war and will be finalised as soon as possible”.
MEPs believe that the EU, Member States, Allies and like-minded partners must work closely with Kyiv to develop a “temporary framework of security guarantees to be implemented immediately after the war, until Ukraine becomes a full member of NATO”.
The European Parliament also condemned “in the strongest possible terms” “Russia’s destruction” of the Kakhovka dam on 6 June 2023, describing it as a “war crime” and pointing out that all those responsible for such war crimes will have to answer for their actions in accordance with international law.
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/7iv (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)