Martin Klus: European perspective as the most important part of the Marshall Plan for Ukraine

"The best perspective for Slovakia and for reconstructing our Eastern neighbour is its future in the European community. Awarding Ukraine the status of a candidate country last week is therefore not only a clear signal that we are counting on Ukraine's European future, but also on Slovakia's involvement in its post-war reconstruction. But before it becomes a reality, we should facilitate the maximum possible access for Ukraine and other candidate countries to the EU single market, its programmes like Erasmus+ or grant them Observer Status in European institutions."

Martin Klus, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic presented this opinion at the Brussels Forum in Brussels on 27 June 2022. The State Secretary spoke in a discussion panel A Marshall Plan for Ukraine together with Steven Cohen - US Congressman, member and co-chair of the Helsinki Committee, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud-Basso, and a member of the Ukrainian National Reform Programme, Hanna Hopko.

In addition, he mentioned the long-term support of the Slovak Republic to the enlargement policy, proven not only by its support for Ukraine, but also by more than 400 development projects implemented for the Western Balkan countries over the last ten years.

"Reconstruction of Ukraine will be a great challenge - both financially and politically, but we must talk about it even today, also in the context of involving the aggressor - the Russian Federation, which, sooner or later, will need to be held accountable for its criminal activities," claimed the state secretary at the MFEA SR, Martin Klus.

Given also the context of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Marshall Plan, the motto of the 17th Brussels Forum, organised by the German Marshall Fund of the United States of America read: "Winning the Strategic Future - In the Spirit of the Marshall Plan".

The conference is also supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic and represents an important contribution to the communication of Slovak foreign policy priorities and interests towards the transatlantic community.