The European Commission will extend temporary protection for people displaced by the war in Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion, adopted in March 2022, guarantee support “as long as necessary”.
The announcement was made by the president of the institution, Ursula von der Leyen, in her 2023 State of the Union speech, during the plenary session of the European Parliament in the French city of Strasbourg, where she revealed that “The Commission will propose the extension of the temporary protection provision for Ukrainians in the EU.
“We will support Ukraine every step of the way and for as long as necessary […]. Our support for Ukraine will continue,” he promised.
Since the start of the war and under this European temporary protection directive, “four million Ukrainians have found refuge in the Union”. Ursula von der Leyen noted.
‘And I want to tell you [aos ucranianos] which are as welcome now as in those fateful first weeks,” he said, classifying this as “Europe’s way of responding to the call of history.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to the influx of millions of people seeking refuge in the EU and neighboring countries, some of whom have already returned to the country.
This situation led the EU to implement in March 2022 the Temporary Protection Directive, which had never been used until then, despite having been established in 2001 following the large-scale displacements that took place in Europe as a result of armed conflicts in the Western Balkans. .
Today Ursula von der Leyen emphasized: “Ukraine’s future lies in our Union”.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory has plunged Europe into what is considered the worst security crisis since World War II (1939-1945), as well as the worst refugee crisis on the European continent since the same conflict.
This State of the Union address, an annual exercise marking the start of the parliamentary year, takes place four years after the election of Von der Leyen – who began her first term as head of the community council in December 2019 – and less than a year ago. before the 2024 European elections, scheduled for June.
According to the community leader’s accounts, the EU has already provided Ukraine with “12 billion euros this year alone to help pay salaries and pensions, to keep hospitals, schools and other services running.”
“We provided access to housing, healthcare, the labor market and much more,” he added.
Further, “through our ASAP proposal [sigla em inglês para Ação de Apoio à Produção de Munições]“We are increasing ammunition production to meet Ukraine’s immediate needs, but we are also looking to the future.” he added, referring to the agreement to strengthen the EU’s industrial production capabilities in this area.
Ursula von der Leyen also mentioned the “additional amount of 50 billion euros over four years for investments and reforms” in Ukraine, as proposed in the context of the long-term review of the EU budget, money that “will help build Ukraine’s future and rebuild a modern and prosperous country.”
News updated at 12:22
Source: DN
