Brussels, 27/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - At their meeting in Brussels on Tuesday 27 May, the heads of State and government of the EU issued a joint statement in which they call on Russia to work with the new Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko.
"We expect the Russian Federation to cooperate with the newly elected and legitimate President, to continue the withdrawal of armed forces from the Ukrainian border and to use its leverage on the armed separatists to de-escalate the situation" in Eastern Ukraine, they stressed. They add that Russia should "as a matter of priority prevent the crossing of separatists and weapons into Ukraine". The Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, said that "it will be a first proper test of the goodwill of the Russians if they stop their organisational support to the separatists".
The Luxembourg Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, said that the leaders had taken note of the fact that President Putin had respected the Ukrainians' choice, "which was an important declaration to make". "President Putin said that he recognised the verdict of the elections. He must also recognise the new Ukrainian President and commit to de-escalation", said the French President, François Hollande, adding that Mr Poroshenko must undertake dialogue with the separatists.
The European leaders urged Moscow to start "frank and open dialogue" with Ukraine "in order to consolidate a political solution", but also to implement the Geneva agreement of 17 April (EUROPE 11063). They went on to state that the international partners, "including Russia", should contribute to Ukraine's economic stabilisation efforts. "It is important for the stabilisation of Ukraine's economy to reach an agreement on the conditions of gas supply from the Russian Federation to Ukraine", the leaders continued, hoping for an agreement in the near future (see other article).
However, the heads of state and government pointed out that they had agreed to continue preparations for possible further sanctions, "should events so require". "For the time being", however, "we see no need for sanctions", the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, explained.
EU welcomes holding of presidential elections of 25 May
In their statement, the leaders welcome the holding of elections in Ukraine, as an expression of the "will of the Ukrainian people". They call on "all parties to accept the outcome of the elections". "The presidential election was characterised by high turnout and a clear resolve by the authorities to hold what was a genuine election largely in line with international commitments and respecting fundamental freedoms, despite the hostile security environment in two eastern regions of the country", they explained.
The European leaders went on to urge the Ukrainian authorities to "build on the legitimacy of the newly elected president" and to continue to reach out to the population civil society of all regions of Ukraine, including in the framework of the round tables of national dialogue. Welcoming the Memorandum of Peace and Concord adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament, they stressed that the "swift and inclusive conduct of the constitutional and decentralisation reforms, while drawing on the relevant expertise of the Council of Europe, (was) key in this process". "Reform efforts as regards the judiciary, the prosecutor's office and the security sector as well as the fight against corruption need to continue", they insisted, also laying emphasis on respect for minority rights. "It is important that the government improves the macro-economic balance and business climate, as well as eradicates corruption", they added.
The Europeans said that they look forward to "working closely with the new President" of Ukraine, and reiterated their commitment to helping the country in matters such as stabilising the micro-economic situation or economic reforms. Ahead of the informal summit on Tuesday, the European Commission announced that the second phase of the visa liberalisation plan could be launched
(EUROPE 11086).
In their conclusions, the European leaders did not refer to their stated willingness to sign the association agreement with Ukraine. But upon arrival at the Council, the Lithuanian President, Dalia Grybauskaité, said that "the signature of the association agreement still (featured) on our agenda". "If nothing changes, I hope that we will be able to sign in June", she added. A national source said that it was now up to the Ukrainian president to state whether or not he wishes to proceed with the association agreement.
The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, announced that this statement will be the basis of the position of the European institutions and G7 countries at their meeting in Brussels on 4 and 5 June. A number of heads of state and government are also set to meet the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of the commemorations of the D-Day landings, in Normandy on 6 June. (CG with AN, IL, JK, EH, EL)