Ukraine and Benelux Launch New Cooperation Format, Pledge Support Amid War
On Tuesday, August 26, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine held a multilateral meeting in Odesa with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Maxime Prévot, and Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, and the Director-General for European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Hellen Bakker.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
Following the talks in Odesa, diplomats from Ukraine, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg announced the launch of a new format of cooperation, “Ukraine-Benelux.” Andrii Sybiha noted that this format symbolizes Ukraine’s European identity and its ties with the West, as well as demonstrating the unity of European countries.
“The Ukraine-Benelux format will deepen our partnership with each of the three countries and take our cooperation to a fundamentally new level,” the Minister said.
During the meeting with his colleagues, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister noted that Ukraine and the Benelux countries continue to work together to achieve justice, in particular through the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Sybiha also stressed the importance of strengthening a coordinated sanctions policy against Russia, in particular the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and restrict the financial resources of the aggressor state.
In turn, in a joint statement following the ministerial meeting, the Benelux countries confirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to provide humanitarian, military, financial, and political assistance and to promote recovery and justice for the victims.
The delegations also emphasized the importance of securing vital grain routes through the Black Sea, which are crucial for global food security and regional stability.
The Benelux partners expressed their commitment to supporting Ukraine on its path to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, reaffirming that Ukraine's future lies in the EU and NATO.
“The Benelux countries also reaffirm that Ukraine's future lies in NATO and that they will continue to accompany it on its irreversible path towards full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership,” the statement said.
In addition, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg will allocate €2 million through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support the Superhumans prosthetics center in Odesa.
“This will help provide the necessary medical care even in times of war,” emphasized Helen Bakker, Director General for European Cooperation at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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