By KYIV. Nov 8 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Belgium will work to promote Ukraine’s membership in the European Union during its EU presidency in 2024, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said following negotiations with Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib in Brussels.
“I’ve heard a clear signal that Belgium understands the historical mission and responsibility in the context of this chairmanship, during which important decisions will be made and the foundations for Ukraine’s future accession to the European Union will be laid,” the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry quotes Kuleba as saying.
He also emphasized Belgium’s leadership role in introducing a mechanism for using income tax from frozen Russian assets to restore Ukraine.
“We need a broader legislative framework within the EU so that this practice can be extended to other European countries. Russia must pay for the damage and destruction it has caused to Ukraine,” the minister noted.
In addition, he thanked his Belgian colleague for his willingness to provide a new batch of generators and mobile heating systems to help Ukrainians during the winter period.
The heads of diplomacy separately discussed further steps to implement the peace formula of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The ministers also discussed cooperation between Ukraine and Belgium in the field of culture.
Lahbib, in turn, emphasized that from the first days of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, Belgium provided refuge to thousands of Ukrainian citizens, as well as significant financial, military and humanitarian support.
“We continue to support Ukraine. We recently created a new fund to help Ukraine in the amount of EUR 1.7 billion. The funds will be used for military needs and the implementation of humanitarian projects,” the Belgian Foreign Minister said.
According to Kuleba, during his visit to Brussels, he received a clear signal from European partners about unconditional support for Ukraine: “No matter what happens in the world, supporting Ukraine will be a priority. Together with our partners, we remain focused on Ukraine’s victory.”
