Katarina Mathernova:  Last night we celebrated Europe Day

It was a beautiful and festive event with several hundred people from different parts of Ukraine society and the diplomatic corps. It was a great honour for me to show our Ukrainian friends that Ukraine is Europe — and that Europe Day is their holiday too.

I had a bit of a stage fright when I saw the big audience in the spherical Ukrainian House (former Museum of Lenin 😂). This was the event of the year for my office. It turned out just the way an evening should turn out when it brings together people united by the same vision of cooperation and solidarity. Because that is what the EU is about. It turned out wonderfully. Thanks also to my co-host Rolf Holmboe & Kristina Mikulova and our guest of honour Olga Stefanishyna.

I have been with Ukraine for ten years now. Ten years of closely following Ukraine’s development. And with each passing year, I feel even greater admiration for Ukraine’s determination to carry out difficult and painful reforms that bring it closer to EU membership.

Carrying out key reforms is admirable even in times of peace. Ukraine, however, is undertaking essential and demanding reforms in the midst of brutal Russian aggression. These days, in these months, Ukraine is writing the manual on how to implement reforms during wartime.

EU stands firmly and unwaveringly by Ukraine’s side. We continue to help, even when others have lost their endurance. And I am not only talking about money (since the full scale invasion, the EU has supported Ukraine with more than €145 billion). I am talking about the everyday support of a friend in difficult times.

Today, Ukraine is making history — not only its own history, but a new chapter in the history of Europe, of the European Union, and of its enlargement.

Happy Europe Day, my dear Ukraine!