Speaking of Ukraine’s wish to become an EU Member State, President Karis remarked that the beleaguered country is pressing ahead with much-needed reforms to this end in spite of its fight for freedom and survival in the brutal war being waged against it. “The Ukrainians have done some remarkable work in fighting corruption and reinforcing the rule of law,” he said. “They are highly motivated to carry on along the path of reform in the hope that it will lead to EU membership. Therein it is very important that it has the union’s support in making preparations to join.”
During his meetings President Karis also discussed preparations for the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, the defence investments needed to strengthen the alliance’s defence and deterrence position and the alliance’s expansion prospects. “Our wish is to grow the space in which people can live in peace,” he said. “We want to do away with the grey zones that form in Europe’s security region where freedom is at risk from other players’ imperial ambitions.” For this reason, he feels that Ukraine must be given a fixed and unequivocal plan of action for joining the alliance at the summit in Vilnius. He also stressed the importance of securing Sweden’s accession as quickly as possible.
Other topics discussed during the meetings were bringing Russia to justice for all of the crimes committed in Ukraine, the establishment of a special tribunal for the investigation of the crimes of aggression of Putin’s regime and solutions for the use of frozen Russian assets in the rebuilding of Ukraine.
During his meeting in the Dutch parliament President Karis expressed his delight over the recent cooperation between Estonia, the Netherlands and Norway in donating a field hospital to the Ukrainians. “We are open to similar projects in the future as well,” he added. Both Estonia and the Netherlands are supporting Ukraine politically, militarily and in humanitarian ways, and will continue to do so.
Further discussions touched on closer cooperation in trade, renewable energy, cybersecurity and digitalisation, in which Estonia is an example to the Netherlands.
