CNAUI at the European Congress of Ukrainians, day two: strategic initiatives and new areas of cooperation
Congress#Congress updates
On 20 October the Annual General Meeting of the European Congress of Ukrainians (ECU) concluded in Brussels, attended by 50 delegates and guests from 21 countries. The second working day opened with a video address by Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha.
Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine currently on combat duty spoke live, as did Sofiia Fedyna, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. A greeting was also read out from Serhii Rudyk, Chairman of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council (UWCC), a colonel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a Member of Parliament.
Among the main working items, the next steps were set out: together with the Society of Ukrainians in Belgium, the ECU plans to expand the work of its Brussels office, provide a digest of strategic information for Ukrainian communities in the EU, and deepen ties with the European Parliament’s cross-party group “Euro-Atlantic Ukraine”.
The ECU also plans to hold strategic meetings in Prague and Bucharest in 2025, continue supplying humanitarian and tactical aid to Ukraine, develop cooperation with youth organisations and support educational projects.
In the informal part of the programme, EKUBand gave a short concert for all participants. The ECU thanked everyone for their active participation in and support for the Annual General Meeting.
The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI), one of the leading organisations of the Ukrainian diaspora in Italy, continues to play a key role in supporting Ukrainians forced to leave their homeland by Russian aggression. We work actively to integrate Ukrainians into their new societies while helping them preserve their identity and cultural roots.
In her speech, Lara Levchun stressed the need to work with communities and “young” associations, calling on everyone present to cooperate actively. The symbolic moment when the Ukrainian national anthem rang out within the walls of the European Parliament was a great recognition of our community and an affirmation of our unity with the countries of Europe.
We hope to hold the next meeting of our Congress in Brussels, as we have already received an invitation. We invite everyone who wishes to join our activities in support of the Ukrainian community in Italy and beyond!
