In the framework of commemorations marking the 50th anniversary of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), on 25-26 April 2017 UWC President Eugene Czolij met with high-ranking officials of Spain.
During the meetings the UWC President encouraged Spanish governing authorities to officially recognize the Holodomor of 1932-33 as a genocide of the Ukrainian people. In support of furthering the process of reforms in Ukraine, Eugene Czolij underscored the importance of finalizing the ratification process for the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and implementing the visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens. The UWC President highlighted the plight of Ukrainian political prisoners being unlawfully detained by the Russian Federation in Crimea, Eastern Ukraine and the Russian Federation. He called for monitoring of the situation with added pressure on the Russian Federation to reduce the violations of human rights, and support for the extension of sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements. He also emphasized the need to deploy an OSCE police mission to Eastern Ukraine and a monitoring mission to Crimea.
During his visits in Madrid, the UWC President was accompanied by President of the Association “Ukrainian Community in Spain for the rights, honor and dignity of Ukrainians” and Director of the UWC Mission to International Organizations in Brussels Maryna Iaroshevych.
“The Ukrainian World Congress urges Spain to continue supporting the people of Ukraine as they, by defending the territorial integrity of Ukraine, secure peace and stability in the world,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
Portugal
On 27-28 April 2017 Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij participated in commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the UWC in Lisbon, Portugal, organized by the UWC member organization Association of Ukrainians in Portugal.
On two separate occasions, at the Embassy of Ukraine in Portugal and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lisbon, the UWC President delivered an address during which he highlighted the many achievements of the UWC throughout its history, and the key priorities of the UWC including continued support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian World Congress congratulates the Ukrainian community in Portugal on raising awareness of the UWC and its activities during this 50th anniversary year and calls for the further strengthening of its cooperation with the UWC in attaining common goals,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
In the framework of commemorations marking the 50th anniversary of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), on 27-28 April 2017 UWC President Eugene Czolij met with high-ranking officials of Portugal.
During the meetings the UWC President welcomed the resolution adopted on 3 March 2017 by the Parliament of Portugal recognizing the Holodomor of 1932-33 as a genocide of the Ukrainian people and thanked the Parliament for its principled resolution.
The UWC President highlighted the plight of Ukrainian political prisoners being unlawfully detained by the Russian Federation in Crimea, Eastern Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and called for monitoring of the situation with added pressure on the Russian Federation to reduce the violations of human rights, and supporting the extension of sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements. He also emphasized the need to deploy an OSCE police mission to Eastern Ukraine and a monitoring mission to Crimea. In support of furthering the process of reforms in Ukraine, Eugene Czolij underscored the importance of finalizing the ratification process for the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and implementing the visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens.
During his visits in Lisbon, the UWC President was accompanied by President of the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal Pavlo Sadokha and Director of the UWC Mission to International Organizations in Brussels Maryna Iaroshevych.
“The Ukrainian World Congress calls upon the governing authorities of Portugal to continue supporting Ukraine in the defence of its territorial integrity,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
Poland
On 1 May 2017 Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij participated in a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the UWC in Poland organized by the UWC member organization, Union of Ukrainians in Poland.
The UWC President delivered the keynote address during the commemoration held at the Narodnyi Dim in Przemysl confiscated by the Polish communist regime in 1947 during Akcija "Wisla" and returned in 2011 to the Ukrainian community by the Polish governing authorities. With a historical overview of the UWC, Eugene Czolij focused on the many achievements of the organization throughout its 50-year history including the UWC's efforts to secure the return of the Narodniy Dim to the Ukrainian community in Poland. He also called upon Ukrainians in Poland to continue working with the UWC and the Ukrainian diaspora in supporting Ukraine in the defence of its territorial integrity.
The UWC President acknowledged volunteers in the Ukrainian community in Poland with Certificates of Recognition for their contribution to the development of Ukrainian community life in Poland.
The commemorative program also included a screening of the short documentary film 50 years of the Ukrainian World Congress.
“The Ukrainian World Congress congratulates the Ukrainian community in Poland on raising awareness of the UWC and its activities during this 50th anniversary year and calls for the further strengthening of its cooperation with the UWC in attaining common goals,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
