President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with representatives of national communities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine.
The meeting was attended by representatives of 17 national communities: Azerbaijani, Arab, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Armenian, Gagauz, Greek, Georgian, Jewish, German, Polish, Roma, Romanian, Meskhetian Turk, Hungarian, Croatian, Czech, and three indigenous peoples: Karaites, Krymchaks, and Crimean Tatars.
The Head of State congratulated those present on the religious holidays and the upcoming New Year, wished them peace, and informed them that he had signed a decree establishing the Day of Interethnic Harmony and Cultural Diversity in Ukraine. It will be celebrated annually on May 21.
“I want to thank you for your unity in defending our state, our shared independence – in war, on the front lines, where all of our peoples – all of Ukraine's communities – are represented. I am grateful for the internal peace in Ukraine, which defines our nation and helps us endure during these challenging times,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Apart from that, the President called on the national communities to promote the realization of Ukraine's security and geopolitical choice – membership in the EU and NATO.
“I am confident that Ukraine will become a member of the EU. We are moving fast enough; this has never happened before. Additionally, we urgently need reliable security guarantees, and for us, NATO is undoubtedly the choice,” he emphasized.
Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine – Minister of Justice of Ukraine, reminded that in January, the first cluster of EU accession negotiations will open, covering also the agenda of this meeting.
“Therefore, together we are preparing an action plan to serve as a benchmark for initiating the negotiations,” Olha Stefanishyna added.
According to her, most of the educational rights of national communities are already regulated by law.
Viktor Yelensky, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, noted that the Council of Public Associations of National Minorities (Communities), established after the adoption of the law on national minorities, has developed proposals for legislation and cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.
Alexander Khara, a representative of public associations of the Greek community in Ukraine, who chairs the Council, noted that ethnic minority organizations should be involved in the decision-making and implementation process at all levels. In particular, the Council suggests the creation of relevant positions or structural units in the Regional State Administrations.
Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, stressed the importance of implementing the law on indigenous peoples adopted in 2021. The President noted that the Government should, in particular, develop the status of the Mejlis as a representative body of the Crimean Tatar people.
Olena Arabadzhi, Head of the Board of the Union of Karaites of Ukraine, noted that Russian aggression deprived Karaites of their homes and the opportunity to visit their shrines in Crimea, severing their spiritual and family ties. She called it a real genocide of this small nation.
Following the meeting, the participants adopted a Joint Statement supporting the Victory Plan and the Internal Resilience Plan, as well as Ukraine's full membership in the EU and NATO. The statement also emphasizes the absolute unacceptability of any calls from outside Ukraine to accept the illegal occupation and annexation of its territories.
