In a joint statement on Thursday 16 March, members of the EU-Ukraine parliamentary association committee called on the EU to play "a more active and effective role regarding conflict resolution and peace-building, and to increase its presence in Ukraine".
They also called on the EU member states to strengthen their assistance to Ukraine, "including adequate defensive systems and security sector reform, notably within the framework of the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) in order to deter Russian military aggression in Eastern Ukraine". Created in July 2014, EUAM Ukraine is an unarmed non-executive civilian mission.
In their statement, the committee members also speak about the situation in East Ukraine and Crimea, calling on the EU to consider further military sanctions in response to Russia's glaring violations of international law and human rights in Crimea.
The committee also calls on Ukraine to continues its reforms, especially the process of decentralisation, which is of "crucial importance". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)