Brussels, 10/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - Reaffirming the European Union's engagement with Ukraine, the Foreign Affairs Council stressed on Monday 10 December that the association agreement with Kiev, with a deep and comprehensive free trade area, could “possibly” be signed by the time of the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November 2013. “The signature could be accompanied by opening for provisional application of parts of the agreement”, the Council said. For this to happen, the Ukrainian authorities will have had to demonstrate “determined action” and “tangible progress” on free and fair elections, selective justice and the implementation of reforms defined as part of the association programme negotiated three years ago - including electoral, judicial and constitutional reforms. The Council also expects efforts on the fight against corruption, reform of financial management and improvement in the investment and business climate. With regard to this, “a new informal dialogue will be started on the business climate”, a senior European official stated.
The Council also wants the necessary reforms to prepare for the establishment of a deep and comprehensive free trade area. With a view to setting this area up, the EU is waiting for Ukraine to refrain from adopting protectionist measures, the ministers added.
Reaffirming their objective of visa-free travel, the ministers encouraged Ukraine to redouble its efforts so as to fulfil its first phase benchmarks on visas.
The ministers also spoke of their concern regarding the parliamentary elections on 28 October, and they wanted the Ukrainian government to set up an inclusive dialogue with the opposition, to establish a “reliable electoral system”, and to address the shortcomings observed during these elections. Concerned about the politically motivated trials of former members of the government, the EU foreign affairs ministers call on the Ukrainian authorities to address “without delay” the issue of convictions based on political motives and to take further measures to reform the judicial system and to avoid such cases being repeated.
The Council also reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's modernisation. (CG/transl.fl)