FORMS OF COMMUNICATION OF THE VOLYN REGIONAL COUNCIL WITH THE COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY IN 2021–2023

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze and summarize the forms of communication between the Volyn Regional Council and the institutions and individual countries of the European Union in the context of European integration. The specifics of relations between Volyn Oblast and the European Union are largely determined by its border status and the presence of a common border with the Republic of Poland and Belarus. The deputies of the Volyn Oblast’ Council are cooperating with various institutions of EU organizations and agencies. Thus, the Ukrainian delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe includes the chairman of the council's standing parliamentary committee on international cooperation, foreign economic relations and investment. The full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation has created many problems and challenges, what has led to the emergence of new forms of communication and cooperation between Ukraine and the EU. The potential threat of a humanitarian crisis prompted the Council of Europe Congress to create online platforms to help Ukraine. In addition, with the assistance of the Congress, another platform was created to coordinate assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Volyn Regional Council, volunteer coordination centers and charitable organizations establish new partnerships in the field of international humanitarian aid to Ukraine, in particular with the Romanian International Volunteer Foundation “ASOCIATIA ROUND TABLE 20 BOTOSANI”, German’s “ASB Ortsverband Hamburg-Mitte e.V.” and a non-governmental organization founded by Ukrainian diasporas, “Feine Ukraine – Verien der deutsch-ukrainischen Zusammenarbeit” in the city of Hamburg. At the end of January 2023, representatives of the Flemish Government of the Kingdom of Belgium paid an official visit to Lutsk as part of a project of cooperation between the Flemish Government and the Belgian Red Cross of Flanders: “Relief items for Ukraine”. Volyn has the closest ties with the state and public institutions of the Republic of Poland. It was Poland that first supported and recognized Ukrainian independence became an ally in the European integration aspirations of our country.