New faces, same guidelines. The EU, with a new High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and a new Neighbourhood Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi, and Ukraine, with its new Prime Minister, Oleksiy Honcharuk, stressed the importance of their relationship on the occasion of the 6th Association Council meeting between the EU and Ukraine, on Tuesday 28 January.
In response to Mr Borrell's assertion to the press that "Ukraine is a key partner", Mr Honcharuk said that the EU was "a key strategic partner" for his country "in all areas". To demonstrate this renewed European commitment, Mr Borrell and Mr Várhelyi will visit the country on 11 and 12 February, for the Commissioner.
And, as usual, both sides took stock of the situation. "Our priority today is peace in our land", Mr Honcharuk stressed. Mr Borrell, who hoped to be able to visit the front lines in Donbas, stressed the Ukrainian "new dynamic" in the discussions in the Normandy Format, expecting "the same constructive approach from the other parties", implying Russia. He stressed the need for further progress in the areas of humanitarian assistance and de-mining and considered that work was needed to prepare for possible future reconstruction.
The two sides also discussed the implementation of the Association Agreement, which is expected to be updated with regard to the subjects of climate and environment and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
The Ukrainian Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening cooperation with the EU, citing in particular integration into the energy union and the digital market, cooperation in aviation, space, the investment sector and in the protection of personal data. He also hoped that agreement would be reached on the Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA).
While welcoming the ongoing reforms in Ukraine, Mr Várhelyi called on the country to do more. "We are ready to support the Ukrainian government's goal of significantly increasing foreign direct investment, but of course a key factor here is the rule of law and the business climate, including the eradication of corruption", he stressed, calling for further institution-building and the fight against corruption. Land reform and improved governance of state-owned enterprises were also highlighted. The Commissioner explained the need to ensure the independence of the judiciary in a consistent manner, welcoming also the commitment of the Ukrainian government to continue the decentralisation reform as well as the public administration reform. He also stressed the importance of ensuring respect for the rights already exercised of persons belonging to national minorities, calling for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
In the margins of the Council, the EU and Ukraine signed a €26 million agreement to support the agricultural sector and the development of small farms. Since 2014, the EU and its Member States have assisted Ukraine with €17 billion.
See the joint declaration issued at the end of the Association Council: http://bit.ly/2Gu3mXR (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)