The Presidents of the European Council, Charles Michel, and of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, underlined the importance of EU-Ukraine relations on Tuesday 6 October at the end of their 22nd bilateral summit.
“This is a deep and sincere, fruitful partnership with the EU. We have the same position on all fundamental issues”, summarised Mr. Zelensky at the press conference.
In their joint statement, both sides acknowledged Ukraine's “substantial progress” in its reform process, stressing the need to accelerate these efforts. “Reforms play a very important role” in the EU-Ukraine agenda, Borrell said. He therefore welcomed the efforts of the Ukrainian President, with the adoption of several important reforms since the beginning of his mandate, notably on the land sector, banking and taxes.
The High Representative also highlighted progress in the fight against corruption, while calling for further efforts. “An independent and efficient judiciary is crucial and we continue to expect the utmost from the Ukrainian authorities, as this is what the Ukrainian people are asking for”, he added. For his part, the Ukrainian President said that strengthening the rule of law was a priority for his country.
The Presidents of the EU and Ukraine also announced an assessment of progress in the implementation of the Association Agreement and the deep and comprehensive free trade area in 2021. Mr. Zelensky highlighted his country's desire to be integrated into the digital single market and to participate in the European Green Deal. In addition, the EU-Ukraine Common Aviation Area Agreement is expected to be signed soon, he said.
The EU-Ukraine declaration also highlights “the unity, solidarity and mutual commitment demonstrated in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic”. At the meeting, the President of Ukraine suggested cooperation in the production of a future vaccine. A proposal well received by Mr Michel, who said he was “ready to look more concretely at how we can achieve more goals together”.
Finally, both sides reiterated their support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. “President Zelensky is working hard to resolve the conflict and has taken important steps. We call on Russia to do the same”, Michel stressed. Furthermore: “We support diplomatic efforts in the framework of the Normandy Format and the Trilateral Contact Group to find a peaceful solution that respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We call on Russia to respect its market share”.
Mr Zelensky also called on Russia to implement the Minsk agreements. He also announced that he had received assurances from the EU that the sanctions would be maintained until Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty had been restored.
In addition, in the margins of the Summit, the European Commission announced an additional €10 million in humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable populations in Eastern Ukraine in the run-up to the winter and in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The funds will help vulnerable people on both sides of the LoC to prepare for the winter and meet their basic needs, improve the situation in the health sector and support Ukrainians who have fled to Russia, according to the Commission. This brings EU humanitarian aid to Eastern Ukraine in 2020 to €23 million.
See the EU-Ukraine declaration: https://bit.ly/34rawYc (Camille-Cerise Gessant)