The European Commission announced on Thursday that Ukraine has joined the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union.
“Today, Ukraine becomes a Participating State of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism – the European solidarity framework that helps countries overwhelmed by a disaster,” the European Union said in a statement.
According to the document, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič officially signed an agreement on behalf of the European Union on granting Ukraine full membership in the Civil Protection Mechanism on Thursday in Kyiv.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has channelled emergency assistance to Ukraine from across Europe since the onset of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. In its largest and longest running operation, more than 88,000 tonnes of life-saving equipment, food, and medicines, have been sent to Ukraine via the Mechanism.
“Now, by being a full member, Ukraine will also be able to dispatch aid via the Mechanism at a time another country in case of a crisis,” the officials said in Brussels.
Ukraine has officially become the 36th member of the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism, European Commissioner Lenarčič and EU Ambassador to Ukraine Matti Maasikas said.
From the Ukrainian side, the agreement was signed by Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko, Maasikas said on Twitter.
“The Mechanism has provided thousands of tons of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since 2022, now Ukraine will have a seat at the table as well,” Maasikas wrote.
Lenarčič, who signed the document on behalf of the EU, congratulated Ukraine on the accession.“I congratulate Ukraine on its accession to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism! The EU civil protection now forms a team of 36 countries, working towards one common goal – to help people in need wherever they are. Because we are stronger together,” he said on Twitter.