Following Cardinal Hollerich’s statement on the ongoing tensions at EU’s Eastern border, COMECE welcomes the adoption by the EU of €1.2 billion assistance to Ukraine to provide swift support in a situation of acute crisis and to strengthen the country’s resilience.
Presidents of the EU Council and Commission together with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. (Credit: Press service of President of Ukraine)
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) welcomes the EU’s approval of an emergency macro-financial assistance operation of €1.2 billion in the form of loans to foster stability in Ukraine.
As the current geopolitical tensions are having a detrimental effect on the country’s economic and financial stability, COMECE welcomes this EU assistance package aimed to strengthen Ukraine’s rule of law and governance, and the country’s resilience, especially in the economic, financial and energetic sectors.
Already in January 2022, H. Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, expressed, on behalf of the EU Bishops his great concerns and his solidarity with the people in Ukraine.
“The escalating rhetoric and actions pose a menace not only to the people of Ukraine, but they also put at risk peace on the whole European Continent and beyond, threatening to bring horrific human suffering and death, but also to destroy the achievements of several generations in building peace and stability in Europe for many years to come”, stated Cardinal Hollerich.
In his statement, the President of the EU Bishops also urged the international community, including the European Union, to “renew its commitment to peace and actively contribute to these dialogue efforts, not by demonstrating force and reinforcing armament dynamics, but by seeking creative ways of negotiation and value-based engagement”.