A "Białystok Declaration" on solidarity with Ukraine and an appeal for an end to Russia's war on Ukraine were voiced by participants of the European Alliance Group meeting organized under the motto "Cities and Regions working together in Europe".
The joint declaration was formulated by representatives of local governments which are part of the European Alliance Group in the European Committee of Regions. It was signed by Mayor of Białystok Tadeusz Truskolaski (EA member), Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz (head of the Ukraine working group, established in November 2021 in the Committee of Regions), and President of the Group, member of Cork City Council Kieran McCarthy, among others.
In the declaration, the group condemns Russia's unprovoked and unfounded military aggression against free Ukraine, also the involvement of Belarus, calling this violation of all agreements and international norms, undermining the Declaration on Human Rights. They also express regret at the many civillian victims of the war. The group demands an immediate stop to aggression, a ceasefire and talks under international supervision; and confirms its full support for Ukrainians defending their country, democracy and freedom.
Tadeusz Truskolaski, Mayor of Białystok which hosted the meeting, told a news conference that the EA declaration was "a voice from below", from the boroughs, regions and towns, and as such most important because it was the local authorities who had to bear the burden of taking in refugees, a test which country and citizens had passed excellently.
Kieran McCarthy underlined the importance of ending the war in Ukraine as soon as possible and said that the Committee of Regions will pressure the EC to act towards this end.
The Group also called on local and regional authorities to speak of the intentional and cruel attacks on Ukrainian civillians as war crimes.
The declaration is to be forwarded to the European Parliament, European Commission and Council of Europe.
EA members expressed solidarity with Ukraine at the Committee of Regions plenary debate held at the close of April. Already in February, the European Alliance Group expressed its strong condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and spoke of full support to the citizens of Ukraine.
Source: PAP