An EU enlargement process is the driving force behind the prosperity of the United Europe, – Olha Stefanishyna in Romania

The process of European Union enlargement, including Ukraine’s accession, remains the driving force behind the prosperity of the United Europe. This was stated by Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, during a joint press conference following her participation in the annual meeting of Romanian diplomats.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Romania, Luminița-Teodora Odobescu, and the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova, Cristina Gerasimov, also made statements at the press conference.

‘The EU has become an important element of our country’s survival in the face of the most brutal war since the Second World War. The European Union supported Ukraine and Moldova and assured that when this war is over, our countries will become full members of the bloc. It is hard to imagine a stronger message to send to the Ukrainian people and to all those who are fighting for freedom and the opportunity to live in a democratic and prosperous country. The unprecedented unity of all EU member states, including our neighbour Romania, has obliged us to be stronger, more committed and more resilient. We will make every effort to ensure that the determination we have demonstrated since the beginning of the full-scale invasion is maintained throughout the accession process,’ Olha Stefanishyna said in her address.

She stressed the need to maintain this momentum in order for Ukraine to continue the process of internal transformations that bring it closer to the EU.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to Romanian Foreign Minister Luminița-Teodora Odobescu for her personal participation in the First EU-Ukraine Intergovernmental Conference and for Romania’s willingness to share its experience and expertise.

Olha Stefanishyna also noted Romania’s contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities. In particular, on the sidelines of the Washington NATO Summit, Romania, together with the United States, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany, made a statement on the transfer of additional air defence systems to Ukraine.

‘I hope that in the near future, when we gather Ukrainian diplomats for a meeting, we will only talk about the ‘bright’ European future of Ukraine, which has won this brutal war. At the same time, the process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU and the enlargement of the Union as such remains the driving force behind the prosperity of a united Europe. For Ukraine, this is the greatest guarantee of security in the post-war reality. While we are fighting to defend ourselves against aggression, we are also thinking about sustainable peace in Europe and the enlargement of the European Union. Be assured that as long as your support for Ukraine is steadfast, Ukraine will never betray your expectations. We have stood, we are standing and we will continue to stand for our freedom and for the future of our Europe,’ the Deputy Prime Minister assured.

The visit took place at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania.