Ukraine agreed not to prevent Poland from carrying out search and exhumation works on its territory. Both countries will work on these issues within the framework of cooperation, following national legislation. About this stated Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski.
The official emphasized that the Polish side will involve institutions such as the Institute of National Remembrance, which will take into account the needs of the Ukrainian side in matters of exhumation of the victims of the Volyn tragedy. He also noted that Poland is ready to support the acceleration of Ukraine’s European integration, using its future presidency of the EU Council, despite the complexity of the negotiations.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiga, for his part, emphasized that Ukrainians and Poles are interested in mutual understanding, as every family has the right to dignify the memory of their ancestors. Currently, within the framework of a joint working group under the auspices of the ministries of culture of Ukraine and Poland, practical mechanisms for search and exhumation work are being developed.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, commenting on the decision, noted that the agreement to carry out such works is a key moment for achieving full reconciliation between Ukraine and Poland. He emphasized that the joint understanding of history will contribute to the further strengthening of friendly relations between the two peoples.
“Ukraine will not block the exhumation of the victims of the Volyn massacre (version in Polish historiography. Our ministers are starting to work on the specifics. I hope that this time there will be no more obstacles. This is a guarantee of complete reconciliation of our peoples, which is so necessary at this dramatic moment of our common history”, – emphasized the Polish Prime Minister.
