European Parliament to Open Office in Ukraine

The European Parliament has decided to establish an official representation in Ukraine to strengthen its support for the Ukrainian Parliament. 

This information is reported by Euractiv, citing a document from the European Parliament that is available to the media.

According to the publication, the main task of the new office is to harmonize and enhance relations between the European and Ukrainian parliaments. This includes fostering closer cooperation at the level of the "relevant committees" of the European Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada, as well as streamlining administrative work.

The final decision to open the office was made on the evening of November 20.

It is expected that the presence of the parliament in Kyiv will ensure "regular briefing of the committees of the European Parliament on current issues and processes" in both Ukraine and the "Eastern Partnership countries."

It is worth noting that the European Parliament has communication offices in each member country. These institutions establish connections between the parliament and other EU member countries, including through the organization and conduct of events, as well as working with local media.

At the same time, the European Parliament has only a few representations outside the territorial boundaries of the European Union, such as in New York, Addis Ababa, and Jakarta. EU delegations in each non-member country are considered diplomatic representations of the EU in that territory.

It is reported that in March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally appealed to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to create a parliamentary representation in Ukraine.

At the summit in Brussels on June 23, 2022, the leaders of the 27 EU member countries adopted a decision to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union. However, for Ukraine to join the EU, Kyiv must carry out a series of important reforms, including in the areas of the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

In September, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Ukraine had implemented all 7 recommendations of the European Commission on government level reforms.

On November 8, 2023, the European Commission recommended to the European Council to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova to the EU.