Italy interested in European integration of Ukraine, CEI intends to open two more educational hubs in Europe for social integration of refugees

KYIV. March 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Italian and European organizations in general have a positive attitude towards Ukraine’s integration into the EU, and some them consider Russia’s aggression against Ukraine to be aggression against the whole of Europe.

Italian business leaders stated this intention during a panel discussion on the future of Ukraine and Italy’s contribution to the reconstruction of the country on 8 March in Milan, Italy. The discussion took place at a charity evening held to support Ukrainians impacted by the war and organised by Metinvest Group’s Saving Lives humanitarian initiative. The event brought together 185 business leaders from Italy, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Ukraine.

According to a press release from Metinvest on Friday, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative (CEI) Roberto Antonione said that the organisation has been supporting Ukraine since the first days of the war, including through the delivery of humanitarian aid to the east, and had helped build a field hospital and an educational hub in Warsaw to promote the social integration of displaced people from Ukraine. The initiative is considering opening two more such hubs in Bratislava and Budapest.

“In addition, we have announced competitions for financing small projects aimed at mitigating the consequences of the war. Unfortunately, these are just small drops in the ocean. But they prove the political cohesion of our countries and the strong will to cooperate for the benefit of the Ukrainian people,” Antonione added.

The President of Confindustria Alto Adriatico, Michelangelo Agrusti, emphasised Ukraine’s role in the European community as promoting awareness that “the Russian aggression against Ukraine is an aggression against Europe, its freedoms, ideals and rights.”

Representatives of the Italian transportation and energy sectors expressed their willingness to help with the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

“Not just those of us from the shipping business, but all other Italian entrepreneurs will be ready to help rebuild Ukraine after the war. It is our duty to contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine,” Augusto Cosulich, President of Fratelli Cosulich transportation company said.

Lorenzo Giussani, the head of the generation and trading business unit of A2A Group, believes that Ukraine’s reconstruction will take place through the development of the energy sector and further integration into the EU energy market.

“We are well aware that the European market will invest a lot of money in energy, and therefore Ukraine will also have great opportunities in this area. European countries, in particular Italy, can support us in this,” he added.

Confindustria President Carlo Bonomi believes that the future begins with the reconstruction. “The Italian contribution can be vital in markets such as the steel market, as well as in others where significant prospects are opened up,” he said.

In particular, Confindustria agreed to create conditions for the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed by the war, attract investment and strengthen industrial cooperation between the two countries.

The Confederation is working with the government to identify priority tools for collaboration, from the steel industry to other sectors available for partnership, including logistics, industrial processes and aerospace.

In addition, the deputy mayor of Milan, Pierfrancesco Maran, addressed the guests with an opening speech.