UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS NOTES IMPORTANT CALL FOR RECONCILIATION BY POLAND’S PRIME MINISTER
On 25 July 2013, Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij issued a letter to Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk noting his important call for reconciliation. During a press conference on 12 July 2013 Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that in commemorating the past we should promote, and not complicate, the search for common ground between Poland and Ukraine.
To strengthen this call in Poland, he pointed out that Ukrainians could claim that “Operation Vistula” qualifies under the UN Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
In his letter, Eugene Czolij drew attention to the powerful pro-Russian forces intent on Ukraine joining the Eurasian Union instead of the European Union. These forces are trying to create an irreparable rift between Ukraine and Poland, today’s strongest proponent of Ukraine’s Euro-integration, by fueling hostility between Poles and Ukrainians in remembering our difficult past, including “Operation Vistula” and the Volyn tragedy.
“The Ukrainian World Congress urges you to actively promote the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement at the Third Summit of the Eastern Partnership member countries on 28 29 November 2013 in Vilnius,” wrote Eugene Czolij. “This would significantly contribute to the future security, stability and prosperity in Europe. Moreover, it would avert the very real threat to Europe (particularly for countries such as Poland) posed by Russia’s relentless expansionary attempts, this time under the guise of the Customs Union.”
Offering the cooperation of the Ukrainian World Congress, Eugene Czolij also emphasized the importance of addressing, in an honest and conciliatory manner, the past conflicts between the Ukrainian and Polish nations so as to strengthen our relationship instead of creating animosity.
