MEP Paulo Rangel (PSD) has just returned from a trip to Ukraine, an “extremely tough” experience, visiting cities destroyed by the Russians, but also surprising for the work already done for EU membership.
“It is extremely difficult to visit these places [Irpin, Busha e Borodyanka] because we are in contact with those who were part of the militia, with people who stayed there until the end and with others who have since returned,” Rangel said in telephone statements to Lusa.
During the trip, the delegation of the European People’s Party (PPE) in Kiev met Ukrainian political leaders, namely the Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, and the ministers responsible for European integration, Ohla Stefanishyna, and for Defense, Oleksandr Polinchuk.
The PPE delegation, of which Paulo Rangel is Vice-President, joined six MEPs, namely the President, Manfred Weber, and the visit took place more than a week later than originally planned – a few days before the first anniversary of the invasion of Russia on February 24.
The MEP also reported that on Tuesday evening, as he boarded the train carrying him from Ukraine to Poland, another train arrived carrying wounded evacuated from the eastern front, a “sincerely hard” sight.
On a more positive note, Paulo Rangel emphasized that “in a country that is in a state of fierce war, with brutal violence, with thousands of refugees and displaced persons, it is really surprising that the government is extremely advanced in matters related to the accession process the European Union (HUH)”.
After the Ukrainian authorities were granted candidate country status, they “responded very quickly to a first questionnaire, very difficult, with hundreds of questions, now have to fill in seven points indicated by the European Commission in order to open negotiations”, stressed he. .
“The detail and the dedication with which they are handling these matters is impressive,” said the MEP, recalling that Kyiv wants to start negotiations later this year, before the 2024 European elections.
In addition to the dossier on European accession, Rangel also highlighted the work already done in the reconstruction process of the country, which has already started, with preparation of legislation and a list of identified priorities.
Rangel also pointed to the many contacts maintained with Ukrainian civil society.
Source: DN
