Brussels, 28/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 28 February, the European Commission recognised the legitimacy of the new government in Ukraine. “We recognise the legitimacy of the government” said European Commission spokesperson Olivier Bailly, stating that the government has been recognised by the constitutional majority of the Ukrainian parliament, the Rada, which the EU recognises as “the legitimate body in Ukraine”. The government is the body to which the EU talks, Bailly added.
Although the Ukrainian ambassador to the EU, Konstantin Yelisieiev, told Euractiv that his country wants to sign the association agreement at the European Council on 20-21 March, Bailly remained less precise. “The agreement is still on the table. The EU is ready to sign it with a fully legitimate government”, he said, adding that it is up to “the Ukrainian authorities to decide if they want to sign it and when. We are ready to sign but I can't say if this will be in the coming weeks or not”.
The EU has again called on all the actors to have the maximum of restraint and to respect the territorial integrity and unity of Ukraine more than ever, after the control of Crimea's two airports was taken by armed men during the night. The situation needs a political solution above all else, and this must be done through dialogue, said Bailly. In the view of the German, French and Polish foreign affairs ministers, “everything must be done to reduce the tension and to promote peaceful discussions between the parties concerned”. The ministers called on all parties in Ukraine to refrain from any action that could challenge the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
EU ready to sing the free trade agreement. “If and when Ukraine is ready to sign the deal, then the European Union is ready to sign the deal”, said European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht on Friday from Athens - where he examined the issue with European trade ministers. It will be up to the Council to decide on the signature, De Gucht said, anticipating that this issue could be decided upon at the next Council of European foreign affairs ministers on 17 March, then at the European Council on 20-21 March. “As far as the Commission is concerned, we are technically prepared for all eventualities”, he added. De Gucht again spoke of the benefits of an agreement which would be “a blueprint to modernise the Ukrainian economy”, which would offer new opportunities for exports from Ukraine and which would be “beneficial for all Ukrainians”. De Gucht also stated again that this agreement is “not directed (…) against Russia”. “It is not because Ukraine will have closer relations with Europe that [it] won't have economic relations with Russia”, he added, nevertheless reiterating that this agreement is not compatible with Ukraine entering the Belarus-Kazakhstan-Russia customs union. (CG-EH)