The Nordic countries - EU members - have reaffirmed their support for opening negotiations with Ukraine on accession to the European Union and in this regard are looking forward to the European Council meeting on December 14-15, UNN reports with reference to the OP.
Thus, at the second Ukraine-Northern Europe summit in Oslo, the prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and the presidents of Ukraine and Finland made a statement in which they reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine.
"The Nordic EU member states reaffirm their support for the opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and in this regard look forward to the European Council meeting on December 14-15, 2023. Together with the EU and international partners, the Nordic countries will continue to coordinate and harmonize their support for Ukraine's ongoing reform efforts and to support Ukraine on its European path," the joint statement reads.
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The statement also said that since Russia's illegal full-scale invasion in February 2022, the total amount of aid from the Nordic countries is about 11 billion euros.
"The Nordic countries will continue to provide substantial military, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, both individually and collectively, as well as within international formats and platforms. The Nordic countries will support Ukraine for as long as necessary," the statement reads.
The statement says that the Nordic countries remain committed to increasing international pressure to counter Russia's ability to continue its illegal war, including through sanctions.
"The Nordic countries will actively explore areas for additional support, including but not limited to maritime security, air defense and air power, in particular combat aviation. We will pay particular attention to the prospects for Nordic cooperation in building the capacity of the defense sector within the framework of NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine. The Nordic countries and Ukraine will also work to deepen defense-industrial cooperation," the statement said.
In addition, it is reported that the Nordic countries are actively involved at all available levels of cooperation with Ukraine, including co-chairmanship, in the implementation of the ten points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula in close cooperation with countries from other regions of the world.
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"The Nordic countries will continue to step up efforts to ensure the widest possible interregional involvement in the implementation of the Peace Formula, including participation in the inaugural Global Peace Summit," the statement said.
The statement also notes that the future of Ukraine and its people is in the Euro-Atlantic family.
"As we emphasized in the Joint Statement of the Ukraine-Northern Europe Summit in Helsinki, the Nordic countries will continue to support Ukraine on its path to future NATO membership. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security measures," the statement reads.
The joint statement notes that Ukraine is making significant steps in the fight against corruption, in the area of decentralization and in creating an open and transparent economy, which are important steps towards a prosperous and restored Ukraine.