Brussels, 14/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission and the Ukrainian government have agreed to enhance cooperation so as to take forward the reform process in Ukraine and bring the country closer to Europe. Negotiations on the conclusion of an association agreement should be “accelerated” and finalised “as soon as possible”, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said in a joint statement adopted in Brussels on Monday 13 September. This agreement will include, too, the conclusion of a deep and comprehensive free trade area, with a view to “providing for the gradual integration of Ukraine into the EU's internal market,” the statement says. Barroso and Yanukovych also spoke of the talks which are currently taking place on establishing an “action plan” on the conditions to be met by Ukraine that will allow visa requirements to be waived in the future. The Ukrainian president hopes that this action plan will be ready in time for the EU-Ukraine summit on 22 November. Barroso also highlighted the importance for the EU of respect for “common values”, in particular freedom of the press and the independence of the justice system. He welcomed the closer relations that have developed in recent times (following Yanukovych's election) between Ukraine and Russia. This will also have a positive impact on the EU which is also seeking to develop its relations with Moscow, he said.
Energy. Barroso welcomed the adoption of the new Ukrainian law on the operation of the gas market, and the fact that the country is preparing to join the Energy Community. The EU stands ready to help Kiev bring about the necessary reforms to modernise the Ukrainian energy sector, Barroso said. “Ukraine will remain a key transit country provided long-term and stable transit conditions can be found, which reflect the interest of all parties: Ukraine, the EU and Russia,” Barroso told press. Yanukovych told reporters that there will be no more cuts in supplies of Russian gas passing through Ukraine to the EU, as happened in January 2009. “That will never happen again. … Ukraine is striving to always respect its international obligations,” he stated. (H.B./transl.rt)