Brussels, 24/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 24 October, the EU heads of state and government stated that the European Council “will remain seized with the situation in Ukraine in order to provide further direction as required” in terms of sanctions. The European Council recalled the EU's earlier decisions on restrictive measures.
The sanctions are due to be reviewed before the end of October and should remain unchanged (see EUROPE 11181). While Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi posed the question of the sanctions review, no discussion took place on the subject, according to a European source.
In its conclusions, the European Council “welcomed” the Minsk protocol of 5 September and the Minsk memorandum of 19 September as “steps towards a sustainable political solution of the crisis”. It expects the parties' full engagement and swift implementation of all commitments taken, in particular with regard to the full implementation of the ceasefire, the setting-up of comprehensive border control arrangements and the holding of early elections in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in accordance with Ukrainian law.
The EU heads of state and government added that the holding of 'presidential' and 'parliamentary' elections, called by the self-appointed authorities, “would run counter to the letter and the spirit of the Minsk protocol and will not be recognised”. The European Council reiterates its call for immediate, safe and unrestricted access to the crash site of flight MH17.
“The European Union expects the Russian Federation to respect Ukraine's national sovereignty and territorial integrity and to contribute to the political stabilisation and economic recovery of Ukraine. The European Council reiterates that it will not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea. The Russian Federation should assume its responsibilities for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements”, the EU leaders also stated. The Russian authorities are asked to prevent any “movement of military, weapons or fighters from its territory into Ukraine”. They should exercise their influence to ensure that the separatists implement in good faith the obligations assumed in Minsk. The Russian Federation should also support OSCE verification efforts.
The European Council also recalled that the European Union and its member states remain fully engaged in support of a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis, including through contributions to enhance the OSCE monitoring capacity, scaling up their humanitarian assistance, and encouraging and assisting Ukraine in its process of reforms - in particular on decentralisation and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. The European Council welcomed the upcoming provisional application of the association agreement.
Looking ahead to the parliamentary elections on 26 October, the European Council reiterates its willingness to support Ukraine as it addresses political and economic reform, including in the energy sector, in line with the commitments both sides have made through the association agreement. The European Council welcomed progress in the resolution of the Ukrainian energy crisis. It looks forward to “the finalisation” of the ongoing trilateral negotiations between the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the European Commission. (CG)