WE STAND WITH UKRAINE!
On the first day of the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (24 February 2022), the CEI Secretary General issued a statement to condemn it. He expressed the CEI’s solidarity with Ukraine and its people and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
On 1 March 2022, the CEI-Executive Secretariat (CEI-ES) noted with great regret the severe hampering of the CEI's mission due to Russian aggression against Ukraine. This particularly affected the promotion of good-neighbourly relations and multifaceted cooperation between its Member States, aimed at safeguarding peace, ensuring stability, and pursuing prosperity in the region.
The CEI-ES emphasised that effective political dialogue and good multilateral diplomacy, coupled with common sense, must be pursued to urgently cease military activities. Standing with Ukraine, it immediately implemented appropriate measures demonstrating the advantages of regional cooperation and solidarity.
Actions carried out by the CEI - Executive Secretariat in 2022
Humanitarian contribution through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
On 25 March, in response to the extremely dire and worrying humanitarian emergency in Ukraine, the CEI decided to provide support to the people affected by the conflict in Ukraine. A humanitarian contribution of 80,000 EUR was made to the ICRC from the reserves of the CEI Cooperation Fund, to which all Member States contribute, and from the budget of the CEI-Executive Secretariat. READ MORE
Suspension of Republic of Belarus from its rights of representation within CEI
On the basis of a proposal presented by the Bulgarian CEI Presidency, in cooperation with the CEI-ES, the CEI decided to suspend the Republic of Belarus of its rights of representation on 25 March, as a consequence of the country’s actions in support of the aggression against Ukraine. These represented violation of the obligations under Article 2 of the CEI Guidelines and Rules of Procedure, the principles of the UN Charter, of the Helsinki process/OSCE and the joint commitment of the Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers of the CEI, thus of the mission of the Organisation. Joint Statement by CEI Member States condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine On 7 April, all CEI Member States strongly condemned the unjustifiable military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, as a flagrant breach of international law. The CEI reconfirmed that it stood with Ukraine and its people and fully supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. At the same time, the CEI expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine through a donation to the ICRC, aimed at urgently delivering humanitarian support to the most affected population. Ukraine was also exempted from the obligation of paying its annual contribution (19,800 EUR) to the CEI Cooperation Fund for 2022.
Joint Statement by CEI Member States condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine
On 7 April, all CEI Member States strongly condemned the unjustifiable military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, as a flagrant breach of international law. The CEI reconfirmed that it stood with Ukraine and its people and fully supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. At the same time, the CEI expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine through a donation to the ICRC, aimed at urgently delivering humanitarian support to the most affected population. Ukraine was also exempted from the obligation of paying its annual contribution (19,800 EUR) to the CEI Cooperation Fund for 2022.
Support to the set-up of a mobile emergency service
In July, in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, CEI support was provided for a mobile emergency service and medical equipment in Mikołajów to deliver emergency treatment and primary care to adults and children affected by the conflict. The action was recommended by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the WHO in the Humanitarian Response Plan, Terre des Hommes Italia, together with two partners: Polish Medical Mission and Red Cross Ukraine, supported by a formal request from the Governorate of Mikołajów. The CEI-ES contributed with 20,000 EUR from its budget. Aid for basic necessities in Kharkiv, Sumy and Poltava in Ukraine In July, thanks to funds for international cooperation amounting to 73,400 EUR made available by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region and administered by the CEI-ES, the AVSI Foundation contributed to alleviating the humanitarian emergency in Ukraine. In particular, in collaboration with the NGO EMMAUS based in Kharkiv, AVSI used the funds to purchase basic necessities and distributed them to at least 400 beneficiaries in the territories of Kharkiv, Sumy and Poltava.
Aid for basic necessities in Kharkiv, Sumy and Poltava in Ukraine
In July, thanks to funds for international cooperation amounting to 73,400 EUR made available by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region and administered by the CEI-ES, the AVSI Foundation contributed to alleviating the humanitarian emergency in Ukraine. In particular, in collaboration with the NGO EMMAUS based in Kharkiv, AVSI used the funds to purchase basic necessities and distributed them to at least 400 beneficiaries in the territories of Kharkiv, Sumy and Poltava.
Support to creation of Ukrainian Educational Hub in Poland
Supporting the integration into the local community of the Ukrainian refugees who had to move to Poland due to the war, is the mission of the Ukrainian Educational Hub opened in Warsaw on 25 July. The CEI contributed to the Educational Hub with 15,000 EUR, through its CEI Cooperation Fund. Part of the overall project “Creation of a network of Ukrainian Educational Hubs” promoted by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Institute for the Modernization of the Content of Education and the Association of Innovative and Digital Education, this Hub assists students in maintaining continuity with their education in line with the Ukrainian system and offers various training opportunities to young people and adults in areas such as languages (Ukrainian, Polish, English), soft skills, information technology and career guidance.The Hub also serves as a communication platform, integrating Ukrainians into the Polish education institutions, offering psychological aid to war-affected people as well. READ MORE
READ ALSO Article on CEI-supported Ukrainian Education Hub in Poland expands its services thanks to UNICEF project.
Cooperation Activities supporting Ukraine (2023)
- Training Ukrainian firefighters - saving Ukrainian lives
by Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland)
- Ukrainian Education Hub in Poland 2023
by Pro Futuro Foundation (Poland)
- Enabling Ukrainian Geography Teachers in Higher Education: a Summer School to Create Virtual Field Trips for Inclusive Field Skill Training
by Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava (Romania)
- Institute of Supportive Communication - Effective methods and case studies of psychosocial support for displaced Ukrainians
by Foundation Situational Center Open Doors (Bulgaria)
- Educational Support for Ukrainian refugees in CEI countries
by Association of innovative and digital education (Ukraine)
- Health care professional’s Capacity Building Course on early detection and response to public health emergencies in the Central and South-Eastern Europe
by Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Moldova)
- The International Conference on Decentralized Support for Ukrainian Communities
by ALDA (Italy)
- Direct CEI support for Firefighting equipment and gear for Novoyavorivsk City Council
by Novoyavorivsk City Council (Ukraine)
- Direct CEI support for Development of project documentation for capital repair of the shelter in Chornobaivka lyceum of Kherson region
by Kherson region (Ukraine)
Upcoming Activities 2024-
Activity
Organiser
Location
Social and labour integration of Ukrainian refugees in 4 CEI countries - education activities for Ukrainian refugees
Association of innovative and digital education (Ukraine)
Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Ukraine (Western regions)
Capacity building in war-related eye care in Ukraine, Moldova and Romania
Association for the Study of Chronic Diseases (Moldova)
Chisinau, Moldova