The European Parliament has agreed to establish an office in Ukraine, aiming to expand its support for Ukraine’s legislature after top Kyiv officials’ request, Euractiv reported, citing a Parliament bureau document.
The decision seeks to facilitate relations and forge closer committee connections with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada while assisting with administrative work. Offices already exist in each EU state, promoting parliamentary outreach.
Only a few others operate externally – in New York, Addis Ababa, and Jakarta – with staffers seconded to resident EU delegations, Euractiv noted. Such delegations serve as Europe’s diplomatic envoys.
Parliament President Roberta Metsola has staunchly supported Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. Last year’s Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought went to Ukraine’s people and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the document, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Metsola to open a parliamentary representation in Ukraine during her March Lviv visit. Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk reiterated the appeal in late April.
Read also:
- Michel pledges to secure EU green light for Ukraine, Moldova membership talks in December
- Russia, Belarus veto Estonia’s OSCE chairmanship bid
- Ukraine, Germany begin talks on bilateral security guarantees
- EU ambassador to Ukraine: “Working for a month in Ukraine feels like working for six months in another country”