President Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed over a completed questionnaire for Ukraine’s obtaining of the EU candidate status to Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Matti Maasikas.
"I want to thank you for this important meeting. Today is one of the stages for our country in joining the European Union, the aspiration that our people are striving for and fighting for," he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that the questionnaire was handed over to him by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Kyiv together with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
The President of Ukraine noted that our country's progress towards the EU is taking place at a very tragic time, when many Ukrainians who profess European values are losing their lives.
"However, the people of Ukraine are united by this goal - to feel equal, part of Europe, part of the European Union," he said.
The President thanked Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Josep Borrell and Matti Maasikas for the prompt work on providing the questionnaire.
"It's an important signal. We believe that we will gain support and become a candidate for accession. After that, the next, final stage will begin. We believe that this procedure will take place in the coming weeks and that it will be positive for the history of our people, given the price it paid on the path to independence and democracy," the President said.
According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the government and the team of the Office of the President have prepared responses in a prompt manner, and work is already underway on Ukraine's integration into the European Union.
"We are already integrated into the EU electrical grid. We are now continuing to work with the European Commission on the integration and joint network of free roaming and free payment space," the Prime Minister said.
He noted that this work took place in parallel with the completion of the questionnaire for EU membership.
For her part, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna noted that the questionnaire is a "book of Ukrainian statehood."
"All these changes that we have made, that we are fighting for now. It's about human rights, the highest human values, the economy, the changes and transformations we've really fought for," she said.
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stressed that accelerating the process of European integration of our country would be impossible without the heroism of the Ukrainian military and all our people.
"Therefore, I believe that this is a very powerful step for our victory," Andriy Yermak stressed.
Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Matti Maasikas said he also feels part of a team working to give Ukraine EU candidate status.
He noted that this process is taking place in a very difficult situation for the Ukrainian state, but everyone feels the importance and significance of this moment.
According to Matti Maasikas, Ukraine's answers in the questionnaire will be analyzed very quickly.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked him for the fact that the EU Delegation had resumed its work in Kyiv.
"This is an important signal that the ambassadors are returning, we are glad to see you," the President said.
