13 Mar 2022 16:54

EU Ambassador Maasikas: Work on Ukraine's membership in EU started

KYIV. March 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The work on Ukraine's membership in the European Union has begun, "the ice has broken, the process has begun," head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas said.

"In the summit in Versailles, 11th of March the EU heads of state and government discussed Ukraine's membership application and gave a clear political signal: Ukraine belongs to the European family. The Work on Ukraine's membership in the EU has started, the ice has broken, the process has begun," Maasikas said in a video message on Twitter on Sunday.

"First, the humanitarian support: all EU member states have contributed to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Millions of vehicles, medical kits, tents, blankets and sleeping bags are already reaching Ukraine," Maasikas said.

"The EU for the first time activated its temporary protection directly. It helps Ukrainians coming to the EU, by offering welfare and medical treatment, access to job markets and education," he said.

The diplomat added that the first tranche of 300 million euros of the new EU macrofinancial assistance to Ukraine has already been transferred to the country. "There is more to come," Maasikas said.