By KYIV. May 15 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni issued a joint declaration at a meeting in Rome on May 13, according to the press service of the Ukrainian president.
“The future of Ukraine and its people lies within the European family. The European Union has already recognized the European perspective of Ukraine and granted Ukraine the candidate country status. The Italian Republic strongly supports Ukraine in its reform efforts and in meeting the requirements needed to start accession negotiations in 2023, looking forward to a European Commission positive report,” they said.
In the NATO framework, the Italian Republic continues to focus on immediate support to Ukraine, contributing to a substantive upscale of NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package to Ukraine. The Italian Republic continues its strong support to bolster Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself.
“Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements. Italy fully supports the NATO-Ukraine Commission as a venue to further increase and expand the ongoing cooperation to help fulfil Ukraine’s path towards the Euro-Atlantic family, consistent with the Bucharest Declaration. At the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius, we look forward to addressing all these issues,” the press service said.
According to the joint statement, Ukraine and Italy:
– will continue to work together with others to develop mechanisms to provide compensation for losses, injuries and damages caused by the Russian aggression;
– agree on the need to increase our collective pressure on Russia through further sanctions;
– reiterate their support for the investigations of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, which are a step towards accountability and have taken note of the court’s arrest warrants. Italy has agreed to provide additional support to the International Criminal Court in order to enhance its capacities in the framework of the war of Russia against Ukraine;
– underline their firm commitment to bringing to justice those responsible for war crimes and other atrocity crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Italy will continue its political, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Italy has made solid military contributions to Ukraine, which will continue taking constantly into account the most urgent and immediate needs of Ukraine to strengthen its defense capabilities.
“The Italian Republic remains unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The Italian Republic commends the determination and courage of the Ukrainian people and armed forces and acknowledges their significant contribution to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond. The Italian Republic will continue its political, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes – individually and through international cooperation in the European Union, in NATO, in the United Nations and in other formats,” says the statement.
