Brussels, 21/01/20165 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 21 January, MEPs hailed the progress made by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in implementing their association agreements and their chapters on a deep and comprehensive free-trade area with the EU.
In a joint resolution put down by the Green/EFA, EPP, ALDE, ECR and S&D Groups, adopted by a show of hands, MEPs took note of the Dutch referendum on the EU-Ukraine association agreement and “trusts that the decision of the Dutch people will be taken on the basis of the merits of the agreement, recognising its tangible effects on the EU and the Netherlands in particular”.
MEPs also remind Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine of the need for them to be determined in their pursuit of their respective reform programmes, in particular in the areas of justice and the rule of law, and in tackling corruption and organised crime. The socio-economic development of the three countries is heavily dependent on the progress made in these areas, says MEPs. Parliament also made country-specific recommendations for each of the three. It expects the Council and the member states to grant Georgia and Ukraine visa-free regimes as quickly as possible.
Parliament also calls on Russia to end its direct or indirect involvement in conflicts in the three countries and its interference with their EU aspirations. MEPs welcome the extension of sanctions against Russia in relation with the conflict in eastern Ukraine. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)