Brussels, 17/12/2014 (Agence Europe) – Over dinner on Thursday 18 December, the European leaders are to discuss the situation in Ukraine. According to draft conclusions of which EUROPE has had sight, the heads of state and government will stress that the EU and its member states are prepared to facilitate and support further the process of reforms in Ukraine, “on condition that the necessary reforms are set in place”.
The EU has already made €1.32 billion available under its macro-economic assistance programmes and “€250 million more can be disbursed in early 2015, if the policy conditions are met”, according to the president of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. Juncker explained that the EU should be capable of responding to Ukraine’s call for aid of €2 billion, but in order to do this, the member states would have to contribute and give the Commission greater flexibility in the budget. According to the IMF, Ukraine will need $15 billion on top of existing forecasts.
The heads of state and government will welcome the “determination” of the new government to carry out economic and political reforms. However, according to a European source, the EU is starting to lose patience over these reforms, which are not yet forthcoming.
The leaders are expected to discuss the situation in the east of Ukraine once again. All parties, including Russia, should be actively engaged and fully implement the Minsk agreement, the report stresses. The heads of state and government will reiterate their preparedness to take additional measures “if necessary”.
The European Council will hold a strategic debate on a strategic problem: Russia, but also on the countries of the Partnership. (CG and JK)