Draghi in Kiev: “Italy wants Ukraine to join the EU”

“Italy wants Ukraine in the EU”. Prime Minister Mario Draghi said this in Kiev during a joint press conference with the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany and Romania within the presidency complex. Read also “Today is a historic day for Europe. Italy, France and Germany, three founding countries of the European Union, and the president of Romania have come to Ukraine to offer their unconditional support to President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people. A people that has made an army to repel the aggression of Russia, to live in freedom “said the President of the Council.” The European Union has shown and demonstrates today an extraordinary unity in supporting Ukraine in every way, so as was requested by President Zelensky, “said Draghi. “I want to remember the great solidarity shown by the Italians and Europeans who welcomed Ukrainians fleeing the war into their homes”, added the premier, for whom the visit “unequivocally confirms our support, that of Europe and ours. allies “. “ITALY WANTS UKRAINE IN THE EU” – “The most important message of our visit is that Italy wants Ukraine in the EU, wants Ukraine candidate status and will support this position in the next European Council”, underlined the premier. President Zelensky “naturally understands that the path from candidate to member is a path that will have to see the profound reforms of Ukrainian society and understands that the path to EU membership is a path, not a point,” said Draghi. Our presence is a manifestation of unity and as such it is a manifestation of that strength that unity shows – he added. Today we all said that we are ready to support the cause of Ukraine as a candidate for the EU in the next European Council. We are aware that this is a historical development that will require a profound reflection on the rules and functioning of the EU and will require reflection on all countries, especially the Balkans, which have been on a waiting list for many years before arriving. to be candidates for the EU “.” But the fact that we are here today is already an extraordinary event. We are here to help Ukraine build its future, not only its EU candidacy but also rebuild it ution “, because from the” horror of today’s visit “, said Draghi referring to the visit to Irpin,” the desire for the future, hope “also emerges. THE VISIT TO IRPIN – “Today I visited Irpin, a place of massacres carried out by the Russian army. These are terrible facts, which deeply disturb and which we condemn without hesitation – said Draghi – We give our full support to the investigations of international organizations on war crimes “. “But today, hearing the explanation of the one who accompanied us to see the result of these bombings, I felt horror but I also felt hope. Hope for reconstruction, hope for the future. And today we are here for this, to help Ukraine to build its future “, explained Draghi.” We want the atrocities to stop and we want peace – said the prime minister – But Ukraine must defend itself if we want peace, and it will be Ukraine that choose the peace he wants. Any diplomatic solution cannot be separated from the will of Kiev, from what he deems acceptable for his people. Only in this way can we build a peace that is just and lasting “. The premier stressed that” we are in a moment turning point in our history. The Ukrainian people defend every day the values ​​of democracy and freedom that are the basis of the European project, of our project. We must create a community of peace, prosperity and rights that unis ca Kiev in Rome, Paris, Berlin and all the other countries that share this project “. WHEAT EXPORT BLOCK – Then, referring to the risk to food security due to the blockade of grain exports from Ukraine, Draghi said that “there are two weeks to clear the ports and the harvest will arrive at the end of September, they are deadlines. that bring us inexorably closer to the drama. To avoid this terrible event, safe corridors for wheat must be organized because the crisis in Ukraine must not “jeopardize food security, added the prime minister, hoping for a” UN resolution “to resolve the problem. question, but stressing that “Russia has so far rejected it”.