On July 10, 2023, the French Senate, under the high patronage of its President Gérard Larcher and at the initiative of Roger Karoutchi, Vice President of the Senate, along with Nadia Sollogoub, President of the France-Ukraine Interparliamentary Friendship Group, hosted a roundtable at the Palais du Luxembourg. This event, dedicated to decentralized cooperation between France and Ukraine, brought together parliamentarians, representatives of local authorities from both countries, as well as institutional and associative partners.
The roundtable provided an opportunity to review the state of cooperation between French and Ukrainian local authorities since the large-scale Russian invasion. The discussions were structured around two thematic sessions: the first focusing on strengthening cooperation in the context of war, and the second on the crucial role of local authorities in Ukraine’s future reconstruction.
Since February 2022, French local authorities have mobilized in an exemplary manner to support their Ukrainian counterparts. This support has taken various forms: hosting Ukrainian refugees, sending essential goods and humanitarian aid, fundraising, and establishing twinning agreements.
During the roundtable, Roger Karoutchi emphasized the importance of these actions:
“Ukrainian local authorities face two immense challenges: reconstruction and the restoration and development of their economy. To meet these challenges, they can count on the unwavering commitment of French local authorities.”
This statement highlights the continued involvement of French local authorities, which extends beyond humanitarian aid to include long-term projects essential for Ukraine’s future stability.
By organizing this roundtable, the Senate also expressed its desire to give greater visibility to the numerous initiatives undertaken by French local authorities. This effort aligns with a commitment to active solidarity and enhanced cooperation, echoing Senate Resolution No. 52 (2022-2023) adopted on February 7, 2023. This resolution expressed the Senate’s support for Ukraine, condemned Russia’s war of aggression, and called for increased assistance to Ukraine.
The role of local authorities will be critical not only in addressing immediate emergencies but also in actively contributing to the reconstruction of a war-torn country, laying the foundations for sustainable and solidary decentralized cooperation.
Watch the debate replay:
Cover photo: Cités Unies France
