European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn visited IFNUL
NOVEMBER 23, 2015 – European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn during his visit to Ukraine visited IFNUL, where he met with representatives of communities from Lviv region.
The meeting was held in the Mirror Hall of the University with the participation of Prof. Volodymyr Melnyk, the Rector of IFNUL, Oleh Syniutka, Head of Lviv Regional State Administration, Petro Kolodiy, Head of Lviv Regional Council and heads of Lviv State Administration departments.
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Johannes Hahn expressed his willingness to share the European experience of decentralization of power, which, according to him, is different in the EU Member States.
Lviv and Lviv region, according to the European Commissioner, is a strategically important region for implementing reforms and European standards. He also noted that he is an ardent supporter of the decentralization of power, as it allows the government to be closer to the people, and, respectively, the adoption of important decisions depend on those who truly understands the needs of the community. The Commissioner stressed that the most important issue to be articulated and realized is the distribution of powers and determination of responsibility between state, regional and local devices. Because of the fact that there is no clear system of division of powers and responsibilities poses a potential threat to poor governance, everyone must take responsibility including all citizens.
Johannes Hahn assured the participants that the issue of the territorial integrity of Ukraine is beyond doubt and can not be negotiated. This is a clear EU position, because it is not only the emotional intimacy of Europe and Ukraine, but also that the problem is the cornerstone issue of international law, European security and fundamental human values.