Local and regional Alliance for Ukraine – Latest EU statements and news on the war in Ukraine

 

AEBR Resolution of 25 February 2022

Draft AEBR Paper on Ukraine 

 

 

(updated on 27 July 2023)

 

During its plenary session on 30 June 2022, the European Committee of the Regions and the associations of local and regional authorities launched an Alliance of Local and Regional Authorities for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. See the Concept note of the Alliance in English and in Ukrainian and the press release of the launch of the Alliance. The Alliance is open to cooperation and invites local and regional authorities and their associations from across Europe to join the efforts to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. If you would like to join, please contact: SupportUkraine@cor.europa.eu

The first political meeting of the Alliance was organized on 29 November 2022, where a joint view on the urgent needs was adopted by European and Ukrainian regions and cities. The last political level meeting has taken place in Brussels on 6 July 2023. In all these meetings AEBR President has taken active part.

The 2nd Political Level meeting of this Alliance took place at the premises of the CoR in Brussels on 6 July 2023 . The main topic for discussion was the result of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, the strategic outlook of the Alliance and some examples of reconstruction needs and plans from the fround. This is the CoR press release and here you can find the official photos taken at the event.

The war continues, but the expected Blitzkrieg seems to become a prolonged conflict that could also have very adverse effects on Putin’s regime (and the rest of Europe). Ukraine resists, and the international community is becoming more united in supporting the Ukrainian people and establishing sanctions against Russia and Russian interests.

 

We are also working on a Position Paper, establishing AEBR strategy with Ukrainian border regions:

draft Position Paper

 

And our Info Center in Kharkiv keeps on being very active. Eduard Syromolot works from Kharkiv, and Nataliia Gavkalova from Poland. The current action plan of the Info Center aims to strengthen its institutional sustainability and develop its competencies as a living laboratory of territorial and cross-border cooperation.  The main focus will be on sociological research, planning the renewal of regional and local policies in the conditions of war and post-war, preparing thematic educational programs for civil servants in local and regional authorities.

They have reported about:

• the hearings on CBC in Ukraine held by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities last 15 June. Here you can also watch the video recording of the hearings;
• on 13 June the Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical Expertise and Information (Ministry of Education and Science) held a webinar on “Regulatory and legal support of the scientific and technical activities of the EU countries in the field of CBC” with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, scientists, higher educational institutions, industry institutes, and the public, where they stressed the lack of research on CBC in Ukraine. Watch here the recording of this webinar;
• the creation on 5 June of a subcommittee for the development of cooperation between territorial communities and regions at the Ukrainian Parliament;
• the Chairman of this subcomittee, MP Oleksandr Aliksiichuk, presented draft amendments to “Some Laws of Ukraine on Improving the Participation of Local Self-Government in Cross-Border Cooperation”, namely the Laws on Local Self-Government, on the Principles of State Regional Policy, on Local State Administrations, and on Cross-Border Cooperation;
• On this link you will find an article (in Ukrainian) with attached files with tables including the proposed amendments;
• most relevant amendment is the introduction of various types of CBC (territorial cooperation): interregional, inter-territorial, CBC and Euroregions; it also incluses the registration of every agreement at the Ministry, which provoked lively discussions, as there are already legal frameworks like the Madrid Outline Convention and its additional protocols.

 

The AEBR Info Centre in Kharkiv will be 10 years old next 12 November, and we are planning an activity to celebrate their work during a very complicated decade. We would also launch some initiatives to increase awareness and research about CBC activities in Ukraine, and thus contribute to the Ukrainian

 

We would also like to draw your attention to the CoR’s Info-Support Hub for Regions and Cities and the Cities4Cities initiative by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe. A similar initiative could be initiated by border or cross-border regions in Europe.

The CoR adopted an opinion on The role of EU cities and regions in rebuilding Ukraine during the 10-11 October plenary.

Cross-border programmes with Ukraine and Moldova have been financially reinforced, and more CBC is expected.

 

News and statements by EU institutions and other organisations:

Latest news from the European External Action Service (EEAS): #StandWithUkraine

21 July 2023, Statement by the Spokesperson on restricting and criminalising contacts with foreign NGOs and so-called “foreign agents”

20 July 2023: EU renews sanctions over Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine

 

This is a CPMR’s issue paper on actions and needs in support of Ukraine. The CPMR is the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions.

Various statements were published on Russia’s illegal actions in several Ukrainian regions: the kidnapping of the Mayor of Kherson, …

 

Resources for local and regional action

CoR’s Info-Support Hub for Regions and Cities

Cities4Cities initiative by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe

Alliance of Local and Regional Authorities for the Reconstruction of Ukraine

 

About disinformation: EUvsDisinfo

Lviv Media Forum

 

Resources for refugees

Humanitarian aid website

Information for people fleeing the war

 

Publications

• European Parliament’s REGI Committee, Cooperation between EU cities and regions with their Ukrainian partners, March 2023
• Gavkalova, N., Syromolot, E., & Lukashev, S. (2023). The role of public administration in the development of territories. Public Administration and Law Review, (2), 52–61. https://doi.org/10.36690/2674-5216-2023-2-52-61
• Spatial Foresight’s article Regional sensitivities to the consequences of the war in Ukraine
• Iselin Mulvik and Hanna Siarova, PPMI, Cities and the Ukrainian refugees – briefing, European Parliament Think Tank, June 2022
• Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, The use of Cohesion Policy funds to support refugees from Ukraine, Study for the Parliament’s REGI Committee May 2023

Past news and statements

• 16 December 2022:
• • Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: the EU blacklists additional 141 individuals and 49 entities
  • Russia/Ukraine: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on the latest missiles attacks
  • Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 9th package of economic and individual sanctions
• 12 December 2022: Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council
• 26 July 2022, Statement by the President of the European Commission following the political agreement on the Council Regulation on coordinated demand reduction measures for gas.
• 26 July, Russia: EU renews economic sanctions over Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine for further six months
• 26 July, EU report notes important steps taken in the implementation of the reform agenda
• 25 July, European Peace Facility: EU support to Ukraine increased to €2.5 billion
• 22 July, Commission proposes a temporary short-term derogation from certain agricultural policy rules to increase the production of cereals
• 21 July, EU adopts “maintenance and alignment” package
  20 July, FAST-CARE: Council adopts negotiating mandate on further help for refugees from Ukraine and on addressing the consequences of Russia’s aggression
• 15 July, Ukraine: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič on Russian attacks against civilian targets
• 14 July, Joint statement on supporting Ukraine in its proceeding at the International Court of Justice
• 11 July, Informal Home Affairs Council: EU launches the Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova
• 8 July, EU supports Ukrainian border management agencies in securing their operation
• 6 July, Address of President von der Leyen to the Ukrainian Parliament following the European Council decision granting Ukraine candidate status
• 5 July, Keynote speech by President von der Leyen at the opening ceremony of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano
• 1 July, Supporting Ukrainian exports and improving connections to the EU: EU strengthens cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova
• 30 June, The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity announced electricity trade between Ukraine and the EU to start on 30 June.
• On 29 June, the Commission adopted the FAST-CARE (Flexible Assistance to Territories) package to help public authorities address the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. It extends already provided support by CARE (Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe).
• 28 June, Statement by the High Representative on the attack in Kremenchuk
• 28 June, G7 Leaders’ Communiqué – Executive Summary
• 27 June, G7 Statement  on support for Ukraine
• On 26 June, the Association of Ukrainian Cities celebrated its 30th Anniversary.
• 23 June 2022, European Council conclusions on Ukraine, the membership applications of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, Western Balkans and external relations.
• …
• On 19 May, MEPs discussed the prosecution of Russian war crimes and genocide in Ukraine, energy security after Russia’s invasion and the recent cuts in the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria.
• Also on 18 May, the commission detailed a relief and reconstruction plan for Ukraine, while Moldovan president Maia Sandu addressed MEPs on the war in Ukraine and its consequences.
• And, on 18 May too, the Commission put forward the RePowerEU plan, which aims to help the diversification of fossil fuel imports in the bloc, as the EU aims to get rid of its dependence on Russian energy supplies, starting with the gas. The Parliament’s trade committee also voted to lift all import duties on any product coming from Ukraine in an effort to help the country’s economy.
• On Tuesday 17 May, defence ministers also talked about Russia and their coordinated efforts.
• Press remarks by HR Josep Borrell at the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 May.
• Also on 16 May 2022, foreign ministers from the Western Balkan countries were invited for lunch with their EU colleagues to calm certain uncertainties in the region. Namely, that the accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia would not mean a setback for the region with aspiring countries.
• EU Observer reported that Serbia still refused to impose sanctions on Russia. Serbia would still not join international sanctions against Russia, President Aleksandar Vučić told TV network Prva TV on 15 May. Read more.
• Commitments on the Global Food Security Consequences of Russia’s War of Aggression against Ukraine by G7 Foreign Ministers on 14 May.
• Statement on Russia’s war against Ukraine by G7 Foreign Ministers on 14 May.
• Declaration by the HR on behalf of the EU on Russian cyber operations against Ukraine on 10 May.
• Europe Day statement by President Charles Michel in Odesa.
• On 6 May, the Council has adopted a mandate on new rules for Eurojust, the EU agency for judicial cooperation in criminal matters, to preserve, analyse and store evidence on core international crimes, such as war crimes.
• Statement by President Ursula von der Leyen at the High-level International Donors’ Conference for Ukraine on 5 May; and remarks by President Charles Michel
• Statement by High Representative Borrell on 29 April on the recent security incidents in Transnistria.
• President Michel’s message to the Ukrainian Congress of local and regional authorities, 27 April 2022. Statement by President von der Leyen on local and regional cooperation between Ukraine and the EU for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
• The Russian Federation ceased to be a member State of the Council of Europe as of 16 March 2022 by a decision of its Committee of Ministers.

Past initiatives

During the first months after the Russian agression, every 2-3 weeks, major European associations of regions and municipalities met under the coordination of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities to coordinate efforts and get updated information through Ukrainian partners such as the Association of Ukrainian Cities. Besides coordinating support to Ukrainian cities and regions, there was a follow-up of abducted mayors whose whereabouts were unknown.

(November-December 2022) Urgent appeal to cities and regions to donate power generators and heating equipment

While paving the way for reconstruction when the war is over, there is a need to unite efforts to support most urgent needs, such as power generators and heating equipment. This is the CoR’s and Commission’s joint appeal to cities and regions, and this is the letter to cities and regions signed by the Commission and the CoR asking for more donations of energy items, and informing about the Commission’s “resEU energy hub” in Poland to receive and channel donations to Ukraine, with available door-to-door transport financed by the Union: ECHO-Donations@ec.europa.eu

Entry points for contact for those who have energy material to donate:
• ECHO Emergency Response Coordination Centre: functional mailbox ECHO-ERCC@ec.europa.eu
• Energy Community Secretariat: functional mailbox UkraineEmergencySupport@energy-community.org

The top priority for replenishment is the autotransformers fleet. The amount of other damaged primary equipment (high voltage circuit breakers, disconnectors, surge arresters, measurement transformers, and shunt reactors) is tremendous as well. Another priority is relay protection and automation devices. 

Besides the humanitarian crisis, there are complicated components related to the economy, European energy dependence, and geostrategic aspects, among others. Even the traditionally neutral Finland and Sweden have joined NATO.

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