The European Union Advisory Mission Ukraine (EUAM) on March 7 opened a new regional presence in Odesa.
Civilian Operations Commander for the European Union's civilian Common Security and Defense Policy Missions Kenneth Deane was present at an official ceremony to open the regional office in Odesa, an UNIAN correspondent said.
Read alsoEU's Mogherini to visit Ukraine March 11-12"The EU Advisory Mission was created in order to help with reform process. The fact that we are now opening a third regional presence and in doing so extending our support to Odesa shows that we are increasing our commitment in this regard," he said.
EUAM's other two regional presences, outside its headquarters in Kyiv, were created in Kharkiv and Lviv in 2016.
In the short-term outlook, approximately 20 EUAM staff members – a combination of local and international experts – will work in Odesa.
"Like all Ukrainians, residents of Odesa want to see a more prosperous and secure future for them and their children. That means a future with civilian security sector bodies that people trust, and where the rule of law prevails," he said.
Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Thomas Frellesen in turn said that Odesa region is key for Ukraine, and the country's leadership repeatedly called on EUAM to open a regional office in Odesa.
