On 30 June during the 150th Plenary Session, the European Committee of the Regions launched the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the reconstruction of Ukraine and debated in the presence of Oleksiy Chernyshov, Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, President of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, Oleksandr Markushyn, Mayor of Irpin and Representatives of mains European associations of LRAs.
On behalf of the EA Group Mr Jozsef Kobor, Councilor of Pécs City reaffirmed the Group's full support for the people of Ukraine in defending their country, respect for international law, freedom and democratic values they share with the European Union. He stated that EA Group at its Bialystok Declaration on 6 May called for representatives of local and regional authorities to speak with one voice.
He highlighted that nobody in Ukraine should be left behind. It is important to have the LRAs playing the central role in the reconstruction project which should go hand to hand with the reforms and development of a long-term strategy to support Ukraine's efforts in strengthening the resilience of its democratic institutions and economy.
He also said "As a physicist, I think about my Chornobyl research work and of the excellent Ukrainian friends and colleagues who work now under terrible conditions. As Hungarian, I am thinking of the Hungarian heroes, those who fought against the Soviet troupes in 1956 just like You do now. As Hungarian, I am thinking of our Hungarians in Transcarpathia. And I also think about more than 800000 Ukrainian refugees coming to Hungary. They are welcome, and with them, our authorities, our municipalities – inclusive of my City of Pécs- and all our citizens fulfill their human duty."
