Brussels, 17/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 17 November, the EU foreign affairs ministers decided to add new separatists to the list of people subject to a visa ban and assets freeze in the EU.
“Having assessed the situation on the ground, the Council calls on the EEAS and the Commission to present a proposal for decision by the end of this month on additional listings targeting separatists”, the ministers announced in their conclusions, adding that the Council would continue to follow the situation on the ground closely and would act accordingly. The decision will be taken by ambassadors of the EU member states in the next two weeks. The EU is also due to strengthen its policy of non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea. “The Council reiterates its commitment to fully implement its policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, including through further action within the context of this policy”, the Council states.
A European source said that the discussions had focused on the issue of whether more sanctions were needed and whether the current sanctions are effective, given the situation on the ground. The Baltic countries, Poland and the UK argued for more sanctions. Lithuania reportedly mentioned the idea of taking out sanctions on new people from Russia. Poland wanted the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) not just to prepare an extension to the list of people but also other measures from a broader spectrum in order to have “a loaded weapon”.
However, in others' view of others - including Germany - sanctions, which have proved their usefulness in economic terms, are just words and will not change the Russian line. “Either we make words, or we me make foreign policy”, said Germany's minister. The countries opposed to sanctions being strengthened want to re-commit to the dialogue route with Russia, to find levers for contact in order to find a solution to the crisis. The strategic relations with Russia could be discussed during the Foreign Affairs Councils. Several ministers asked High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to visit Moscow. She said she would go if there were “real conditions to conduct a political discussion able to bring a few positive steps on Ukraine”, and also on other shared issues.
In their conclusions, the ministers again recalled the EU's support for the Minsk protocol and memorandum of 5-19 September, and urged all the parties to implement them fully “swiftly and without further delay”. There are currently reports of large bombings and convoys from Russia to Ukraine. The EU foreign affairs ministers stressed Russia's responsibility in this context. Several ministers - including those from the Baltic countries and Poland - no longer believe in these agreements but others believe that they are the only tool available. Ukraine's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin reiterated support for the Minsk agreements. “It is necessary to be behind the Minsk agreements 100%. It's the only way of proceeding, otherwise the situation is doomed to deteriorate”, he said (our translation). In the view of the European ministers, it is necessary to intensify the negotiations as part of the trilateral contact group in order to guarantee implementation of the commitments taken under the Minsk agreements. The EU ministers called on all the parties concerned to commit “actively and constructively”. The Council reaffirmed the important role of the OSCE special monitoring mission in the application of the Minsk agreements.
Call for government to be formed quickly.
Hailing the national parliamentary elections in Ukraine on 26 October, which marked “an important step in Ukraine's aspirations to consolidate its democratic development in line with its international commitments”, the Council stated that it “looks forward to the urgent formation of a new government”. The five pro-European parties are currently in the process of forming a coalition and have taken part in drafting a coalition agreement, according to Klimkin. Mogherini has announced that she will travel to Kiev “as soon as the new government has been formed”. “On the basis of the outcome of the elections, a broad national consensus should be sought in view of intensifying much needed political and economic reforms in Ukraine, including constitutional reform, decentralisation, reform of the judiciary, law enforcement, fight against corruption and ensuring the rights of persons belonging to national minorities”, ministers stressed. Klimkin stated that his country's priorities were tackling corruption through both legislation and action, decentralisation, the rule of law (including reform of the judicial system) and reforms in the economic sector “with a very clear timetable for implementation”. He asked for EU technical assistance for the reforms, seeking commitment from the EU and a European team in every ministry to assist the reforms.
The foreign ministers stated that the holding of “'presidential and parliamentary elections' in Donetsk and Luhansk 'People's Republics'” on 2 November was “illegal and illegitimate” and that these “so-called 'elections'” are in breach of the letter and the spirit of the Minsk Protocol. They called on Russia to assume its responsibility and on all sides to work towards early local elections in these parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in accordance with Ukrainian law.
Russia expels European diplomats.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that a number of Polish diplomats have been ordered to leave Russia for “activities inconsistent with their status”. This would appear to be in response to a similar measure by Poland, expelling Russian diplomats. Russia also confirmed that it had expelled a German diplomat in retaliation for what it called an “unfriendly” act by Berlin, Ria Novosti reports. (CG and JK)