Brussels, 25/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Brussels and Kiev remain committed to signing at the Eastern Partnership summit in the autumn, but Ukraine has to move forward on the political chapter.
Although - in a joint press release on 25 February at the EU-Ukraine summit - the European and Ukrainian leaders again underlined their commitment to signing an association agreement at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November 2013, this signature is still conditional upon Ukraine demonstrating “determined action and tangible progress” in the reforms of selective justice, the elections and the association agenda. The presidents of the European Commission and European Council, José Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, and the Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, therefore agreed to make this issue “a priority”. Yanukovych promised that his country will do everything possible to do its share of the work - with progress being expected by May (see EUROPE 10791).
The parties agreed on the importance of following up on electoral irregularities and the need for fully implementing the OSCE's recommendations. They stressed that the rule of law with an independent judiciary was a critical element for the association agreement. Furthermore, they hailed the start of the informal dialogue on judicial power in February 2013, and gave their support to the European Parliament's monitoring mission headed by Pat Cox and Aleksander Kwasniewski.
Assistance of €610 million. The leaders welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding and loan agreement for EU macro-financial assistance to Ukraine of up to €610 million, which will complement a future agreement between Ukraine and the IMF. This agreement will support Ukraine's balance of payments over the years to come. “This is the largest ever macro-financial assistance package and represents a clear demonstration of our support to Ukraine's prosperity”, Barroso said.
The European and Ukrainian leaders also took note of the progress report by Ukraine on the management of public finances. Nonetheless, fresh progress is expected ahead of EU financial assistance in the form of budgetary support. The EU and Ukraine will start consultations on the way in which future European aid could take account of the association agreement. The finalisation of negotiations on a common aviation area will also “be a priority for 2013”.
EU awaits further effort from Kiev on visa-free regime. Ukraine has achieved great progress but is still not ready to enjoy visa liberalisation and will have to pursue its endeavours to reach this, Barroso stressed on Monday. Last July, the EU proposed an agreement to Kiev on visa facilitation, allowing certain categories of Ukrainians - in this case young people, researchers, NGOs and journalists - to travel to the EU more easily and cheaply. The agreement is currently with the European Parliament for adoption and will be the subject of Council conclusions. Barroso said that after ratification by Ukraine, it was hoped that this agreement would come into force in the second half of 2013. With regard to the visa liberalisation regime, Ukraine has had an action plan since the end of 2010 and has already taken a number of measures - but to progress to the second stage Barroso said that it is necessary to ensure that everything is in conformity with the EU situation and that it is necessary to assess the migratory impact of this regime. If all the conditions are met, Barroso said that they will move on to the following phase.
Ukraine remains committed to liberalising trade. The EU and Ukraine agreed on the importance of progressing on the necessary reforms in order to prepare the future free trade area in accordance with the association agreement, and promised to refrain from adopting protectionist measures. The free trade area “will give greater access to the world's biggest internal market and bring significant benefits in terms of increased trade, investment and real economic modernisation”. Agreeing on the importance of improving the business and investment climate, the partners decided to set up an informal dialogue on this subject.
EU remains committed to modernisation of Ukrainian GTS. The EU promised on Monday to continue its support for the modernisation of the Ukrainian gas transit system (GTS) as a “key part” of the European grid network. Brussels will continue its dialogue with the international financial institutions on this issue so as to disburse the first loan for the Urengoy-Pomary-Oujgorod gas pipeline reconstruction project. The leaders noted with satisfaction that, since November 2012, Ukraine has been connected to the EU gas market through effective bi-directional gas flows. They also noted with satisfaction the investments made by European companies in Ukraine. Lastly, the EU hailed Ukraine's progress in implementing its obligations on the energy community. (CG, with SP and EH/transl.fl)