Brussels, 22/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 November, the EU-Ukraine adopted a visa liberalisation action plan for Ukraine. This document sets out in detail the technical measures Ukraine will have to take if it wishes one day to have the visa requirement removed for short stays in the EU (Ed: Ukraine has already abolished the need for European citizens to have visas). Satisfying these criteria will be no simple matter “but we are sure that we can implement the criteria in 2011”, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych told press after the summit. The action plan contains no set timetable. It is not possible to say when visas might be abolished as “that will depend on the ability of Ukraine to meet the criteria,” noted European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. The joint statement adopted at the summit states simply that putting in place a visa-free system for short stays is “a long-term perspective” which both sides would like to see achieved.
Community programmes. On Monday, Ukraine and the EU also signed the protocol to the partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA) which will allow Ukraine to take part in Community programmes. “Participation in EU programmes offers new opportunities to help Ukraine reach European standards,” Yanukovych said.
Association agreement, EU accession. Stock was also taken at the summit of the state of negotiations on the association agreement and the free trade area. Permanent President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy told press that both sides wanted to conclude negotiations “as soon as possible”. Barroso suggested that talks could be concluded “by the middle of 2011”. “We want both far-reaching economic integration and political association,” Barroso said. “Ukraine is a crucial partner for our European future,” he went on. The Ukrainian president said be was “certain” that association agreement and free trade area negotiations could be concluded in 2011. This, however, would only be a step towards the long-term “strategic objective”, which is, quite simply, Ukraine's accession to the EU, Yanukovych stated.
Rule of law, democracy, human rights. During Monday's summit, the EU also reminded Ukraine that it will have to respect the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights if it wishes closer relations. Respect for these “common values” is fundamental to Ukraine's European future, Van Rompuy pointed out. Negotiating an association agreement with the EU is not simply an economic process (free trade area), it is also a political process which involves respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and human rights, he stressed. Making progress with political reform will be one of the “major challenges” to be faced by Ukraine in 2011, which will be a “crucial year”, Van Rompuy and Barroso underlined. Yanukovych said that strengthening the rule of law and democracy would be a “priority” for Kiev. Van Rompuy also reiterated EU “concerns” over the recent local elections. The EU welcomes the reforms to electoral law announced by Yanukovych and has offered its technical assistance in bringing them about, Van Rompuy said. He also emphasised that the EU saw reform of the Ukrainian constitution, following the recent annulment of the constitution after the “orange revolution”, as a matter of priority.
“No more gas crises”. “Ukraine guarantees a problem-free transit of gas to Europe,” Yanukovych told press. Barroso welcomed this statement and stressed the importance of trilateral talks involving the Russians, too. A trilateral ministerial meeting on the transit of gas was, indeed, held in Brussels on Monday afternoon (EUROPE will return to this). The summit underlined the importance of maintaining good relations with Russia. “Russia is a strategic partner for both Ukraine and the EU,” Van Rompuy said. (H.B./transl.rt)