Mr. Chairperson,

The Delegation of Ukraine aligned itself with the EU statement. I would also like to add some remarks in national capacity.

On behalf of Ukraine I warmly welcome the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Ambassador Vaidotas Verba back to the Permanent Council and thank him for presenting the Report on the project work in my country.

Ukraine welcomes and supports the important role of the PCU as part of international efforts aimed at assisting Ukraine’s Government in pursuing reforms that foster implementation of the OSCE commitments, promote dialogue in the society and address the grave impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

We also appreciate the established level of co-operation of the PCU with the Ukrainian authorities and commend effective coordination of activities by the Project Co-ordinator with other stakeholders, including international donors and organizations operating in Ukraine.

The Government of Ukraine particularly appreciates the close interaction with the PCU and its core activities in the fields of promoting national dialogue, judicial and law-enforcement reforms, border security, combating corruption, organized crime, terrorism and human trafficking, money laundering, on gender issues, enhancing environmental security, freedom of media, electoral assistance, good governance.

Particular focus in this regard should be given to providing medical, psychological and social assistance to former military servicemen, civilians affected by the conflict, including IDPs, providing assistance in demining, reconstruction of infrastructure and protecting the environment in the aftermath of the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

We expect that within the project implementation the PCU will continue to strictly abide by the Ukrainian legislation, namely the relevant Governmental acts, and fully take into account the needs of the Ukrainian implementing partners.

At the same time we would request the OSCE Secretariat and the PCU to consider options for further increase of transparency with regard to the implementation of ongoing projects, in particular at the PCU web-site. 

In conclusion, I would like to express our high appreciation to all OSCE participating States who have generously contributed to the implementation of projects in Ukraine and supported the PCU.

We express our particular gratitude to Ambassador Verba and his team for convening jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine the international conference on safety of journalists earlier this year in Kyiv.

We wish the PCU success in accomplishing its mandate and assigned tasks.

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.