Today, on 20 April, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and for Crisis Management, in charge of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, Janez Lenarčič, signed an agreement on Ukraine's accession to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is the world's largest system for providing international coordinated emergency assistance, which is particularly relevant for Ukraine, which has been at war for over a year.

During the joint briefing, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, thanked EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič and stressed the importance of international support against the backdrop of constant attacks by russia:

"Janez Lenarčič picked up the phone on 24 February last year, the first day of russia's invasion, and from the first hour he started helping us. All this time, it was EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič who organised all the humanitarian aid related to the work of the SES. These include generators, demining equipment, rescue vehicles, combat clothing for rescuers, etc."

Ihor Klymenko stressed that the signing of the agreement on Ukraine's accession to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was a step towards Ukraine's joining the European family. Even despite the constant attacks by russia, the world stands with Ukraine.

"This agreement makes us a full participant in the system of international coordination assistance and coordinated response to any consequences of emergencies. Therefore, we are one step closer to the European Union," said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

For his part, EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič welcomed the agreement and said that Ukraine was truly part of the European family.

According to him, with the capabilities that Ukraine has now, it can fight the aggressor and regain its territory.

Ihor Klymenko also praised the heroism of Ukrainian rescuers who have saved thousands of lives since the start of russia's full-scale invasion. In particular, they managed to extinguish about 15,000 fires caused by shelling from russia.