'Ukraine should be co-architect of EU policy': lawmaker on new Parliament office in Kyiv

Mariia Ionova, the head of the Subcommittee on Legislative Support for the Implementation of the State’s Strategic Course toward EU and NATO Membership, stated this on Espreso TV.

"We formally remain in candidate status, but this does not prevent us from creatively and productively making use of the opportunities provided. In particular, the European Parliament’s office in Kyiv should become a platform for coordination and joint policy development both in Ukraine and within the European Union itself. And this is not only about advocating specific interests," Ionova noted.

According to her, Ukraine must become a co-architect of EU decisions and policies, as the world is facing a number of global challenges. It is not worth locking ourselves into unilateral formats that do not promote dialogue and only generate a lack of ideas and creativity.

"The opening of the European Parliament’s office in Kyiv is above all a chance for both sides. We expect it will become a space for real discussions, not just for the exchange of documents, signals, or statements. In my opinion, this will be a platform for genuine dialogue. And this will work to the benefit not only of Ukraine but also of the European Union itself," Ionova emphasized.

• On September 17, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, spoke in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada and announced the opening of the new European Parliament office in Kyiv.