On Thursday 24 November, European Council President Donald Tusk said Ukraine deserved more from the European Union because of its efforts – although ratification of its association agreement with the EU is on hold and visa liberalisation will only come about once the general visa waiver suspension mechanism is in place.
Speaking in Ukrainian, Tusk said he was "very impressed by the patience and determination of the Ukrainian people in their fight to conserve their territorial integrity and sovereignty" – a people who are "a unique example of courage, dignity and good sense". Tusk stated that the Ukrainians deserved "more". "You deserve more. Also from us, from Europe. I can promise you that you will not be left behind. We have our limits too, but we will continue our work to respond to your justified expectations", he added. Meanwhile, Ukraine's President, Petro Poroshenko, said he thought "the unity and solidarity" between Ukraine and the EU were particularly important.
Three new financial agreements to help bring about reforms
The EU representatives thus hailed the reforms undertaken by Kiev. "We appreciate the work of the Ukrainian authorities to implement major reforms in extremely difficult conditions", Tusk stated. In the view of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, there has been more progress in the last two years than over the last twenty. "I'm very pleased with the quality and pace of the reforms", he added.
As proof of their satisfaction and support, the Europeans signed three agreements with the Ukrainians on the sidelines of the EU-Ukraine summit – one worth €15 million to support the fight against corruption, another worth €104 million for public administration reforms, and the third for €52.5 million for a programme on the rule of law that will support reforms of the judicial and political system. Ukraine, for its part, is soon expected to lift its ban on timber exports, which should enable the last tranche (€600 million) of macro-financial aid to be disbursed. Poroshenko stated that for 2017 his country would prioritise reforms of the judiciary, Constitution, Supreme Court, security and defence sector, and reforms against corruption and for the acceleration of privatisation.
Tusk says association agreement is important on geopolitical level
Like Poroshenko, Tusk called for the ratification process of the association agreement to be completed. This is currently being blocked by the Netherlands (see EUROPE 11660). The association agreement not only brings "mutual economic benefit but, more importantly, it has great geopolitical importance", Tusk stated. He hoped that a solution would be found at the European Council in December. "We are working hard to find a solution that will enable the Dutch to ratify the agreement, responding both to all their concerns and at the same time fully respecting the interests of Ukraine – a solution that the other 27 will not need to ratify again", Tusk said. He was supported by Poroshenko, who stated that the association agreement is "a symbol of the new Ukraine and the country's fight for its European future". He added that the agreement was at the origin of the "revolution of dignity", Maidan, just three years ago. In Poroshenko's view, "the delay in ratifying the agreement is of benefit neither to the EU nor to Ukraine" (see EUROPE 11663).
Ukraine hails promise of increased accessibility to EU market
At this first bilateral EU-Ukraine summit since the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement (FTA) entered into force on 1 January, the parties noted substantial progress in implementing the agreement. "In ten months, important progress has been made. Ukraine has been able to increase its trade with the EU by 5% and the EU is the first destination for Ukrainian exports, absorbing 31%", Poroshenko stated. He also hailed the EU's promise to grant further unilateral trade preferences temporarily for certain products. European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström announced on 30 September that the EU wanted to offer new market openings for certain Ukrainian agricultural and industrial goods, supplementing what is already offered as part of the FTA (see EUROPE 11636).
Juncker says visa question will be settled by end of year
On the issue of visa liberalisation for Ukrainian citizens, Juncker stated that the Commission had proposed this liberalisation back in April and was sticking to it. Ukraine has now fulfilled the required conditions and it is therefore for the EU to take action in return and make its commitment concrete. "I'm convinced that despite differences between certain member states and the European Parliament, they will be able to deliver visas to Ukraine before the end of the year", Juncker stated.
Tusk also said work would be stepped up with the European Parliament and Council so that an agreement might be found on the outstanding part of the file (the suspension mechanism for visa-free regimes, in cases of abuse). He also rejected the rumours that France would block the suspension mechanism until that country's presidential elections are held in May 2017. Paris "helped us" find a solution, Tusk said, underlining the fact that no member state wanted to block visa liberalisation for Ukrainians. As Juncker stated, the issue does not concern Ukraine but relations between the Council and European Parliament – which are in disagreement on how the suspension mechanism should be activated, between implementing acts and delegated acts. In theory, a trialogue is due to be held next week, after several unsuccessful attempts.
In Poroshenko's opinion, a compromise is really "within arm's reach". There is "no country that is blocking", he said, and no deep differences of opinion between the European Parliament and Council. Juncker added that he had talked to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and France's President François Hollande about this issue on Thursday morning, and "the problem will be resolved before the end of the year", he stated.
Tusk highlights link between Minsk agreements and sanctions
Tusk also reiterated the EU's support for the Minsk agreements. And despite the Europeans' fragile unity on maintaining sanctions, he stated that these were linked "to the full implementation of the agreements". He hoped that progress would be made on this implementation before the next discussion on sanctions at the December European Council. Poroshenko called for the sanctions to be maintained against Russia until that country fully respects the Minsk agreements and until Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored. Asked about the consequences of Donald Trump's election on the US position towards the Ukrainian situation, Poroshenko appeared reassuring, saying that Ukraine had strong support among Democrats and Republicans. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant, Solenn Paulic et Emmanuel Hagry)