On October 19-21, The New Europe Center together with the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) co-organised a study visit for European experts and government officials from a number of key countries (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States, Lithuania, and Slovakia).
During three busy days, representatives of European ministries, experts, and influential columnists held a series of closed meetings with Ukrainian stakeholders. These included officials, members of parliament, diplomats, military personnel, influential experts and volunteers. In particular, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with Igor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Diplomatic Adviser to the President; Katarina Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine; Anatolii Kutsevol, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for European Integration; Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chairwoman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union; Yehor Cherniev, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence; and many others.
The delegation discussed the challenges facing Ukraine on the battlefield and on the home front, and was able to obtain more information about our country’s key needs for strengthening its defence capabilities.
The delegation also took part in a memorial tour of the Kyiv region, organised by the Institute for Sustainable Development of Communities NGO, to see first-hand the consequences of the Russian invasion and how our communities are recovering from their experiences.
In addition, the delegation took part in the 4th EU Accession Exchange Forum, organized by New Europe Center – an international gathering of experts on European integration.
We are grateful to our colleagues from ECFR for their important and timely visit, as well as for their participation in the Forum. The New Europe Center will continue to actively work in this area, as organising such initiatives helps to deepen understanding of Ukraine’s needs and strengthen military support in key partner countries.
