The European Party of Ukraine is the first represented in parliament existing political force in Ukraine, which integrated into the European political structure and became full member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) – the current liberal centrist faction of the European Parliament. The decision was made at the ALDE meeting on May 10, 2013 in Pula (Croatia). All the ALDE members, without exception, expressed support to the European Party of Ukraine, about that fact even the liberals say enthusiastically. They do not remember such case since the foundation of the ALDE.
“The European Party of Ukraine is the first political force in our country, which received full membership in the political structure, represented in the European Parliament. Other political parties represented in the Ukrainian Parliament are observers or associated members in the European political structures. From now on we and all Ukrainian society represented by us are able to influence all decisions generated by one of the most influential European political structures. For questions related to Ukraine our voice will be crucial, “- commented Mykola Katerynchuk, the leader of the European Party of Ukraine on the decision.
“It was our aim from the very formation of the European Party of Ukraine, as we understand that without the integration of our political force in the European structures, we are not able to achieve our main goal – membership in the EU” – said in his speech, the leader of the European Party of Ukraine, People`s Deputy of Ukraine Mykola Katerynchuk. “We understand that this is a difficult task. And this year is crucial for Ukraine in the light of the future EU-Ukraine summit in Vilnius in November. We highly appreciate the recent decision on the visa regime for Ukrainians and hope to sign an Association Agreement in Vilnius”.
“We believe that our membership in the Alliance will enable us to use the experience of other countries` reforms and liberal parties in reaching our goal – making our country closer to the European standards to join the EU”, – said Mykola Katerynchuk.
He assured all present members at the ALDE meeting that “the European Party of Ukraine will be true friend whom you can trust and whom you can rely on in strengthening democracy in Ukraine and developing international cooperation with Ukraine”.
Remark: the ALDE Party – the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe – the European Party, founded in 1993, includes liberal and liberal-democratic parties, incorporated in Belgium. ALDE is a confederation of democratic and liberal political European parties. In 2012 the ALDE group had 75 seats in the European Parliament (from 21 countries) and 8 seats in the European Commission.
At the national level the ALDE party members participate in the governments of 12 of the 27 EU countries, including the prime ministers of Estonia (Andrus Ansip, Estonian Reform Party) and the Netherlands (Mark Rutte, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy), Vice-Chancellor of Germany (Philipp Rösler, Free Democratic Party) and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrats). Also the ALDE party members are in the governments of Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
Press Service
European Party of Ukraine