The European Union and Ukraine will take stock, on Tuesday 12 October in Kiev, of progress in bilateral cooperation while highlighting the untapped economic potential of the bilateral relationship, during a bilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and of the European Council, Charles Michel, for whom this will be the third visit to Ukraine since March.
This 23rd bilateral summit is "an opportunity to reaffirm the EU's continued commitment" to Ukraine, which is based on solid foundations such as the cooperation agreement, which covers 70% of the acquis communautaire, and the bilateral free trade agreement, an EU source said on Monday 11 October. The source said that trade had increased significantly since 2016, although “untapped potential” remains in areas such as transport, environment and labour law.
On Tuesday, in addition to the adoption of a joint declaration (see EUROPE 12786/2), three bilateral agreements will be signed. In aviation, an agreement will improve connections between the two partners and create new opportunities for low-cost airlines wishing to operate in Ukraine. Another agreement will provide for Kiev’s participation in the Creative Europe 2021-2027 programme.
The bilateral cooperation agreement is currently being evaluated by both partners. This process should lead to the adoption of specific conclusions at the next summit in 2022.
In Kiev, on Tuesday, there will also be the issue of the European Union’s specific assistance to Ukraine in reviving the Ukrainian economy to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, including a package to mobilise up to €6.5 billion in investments in the country (see EUROPE 12754/5) and macrofinancial assistance of €1.2 billion, half of which has already been disbursed to Kiev (see EUROPE 12619/11).
Energy. The issue of the current surge in gas prices will necessarily be addressed by the leaders, a week before the EU summit where there will exchange views on the issue. Ukraine has traditionally been a transit country for Russian gas to the EU despite its conflicting relations with Moscow, especially since the Russian annexation of Crimea. It could run out of gas as the Russian Nord Stream I and II pipelines bypass it to serve Germany directly.
We want to make sure that the EU and Ukraine can “discuss all issues related to gas supply for this winter and the following winters” in terms of storage and supply, a second EU source said. In particular, this source mentioned the possibility for Member States to increase their deliveries to Kiev “in case of shortages”.
Corruption. Another recurring issue is the fight against grand corruption in Ukraine, where the European Court of Auditors found, in late September, that EU support for reforms to be ineffective (see EUROPE 12797/13).
On the European side, it is noted that the Court of Auditors portrays a situation that goes back several years and reports real progress since 2014. However, the emphasis should be made on the progress made in reforming the judiciary (re-establishment of the High Qualification Commission of Judges and evaluation of the integrity of the members of the High Council of Justice), in creating an “anti-corruption architecture” and in supporting civil society to hold the government to account.
What is needed now is to finalise the composition of the anti-corruption bodies, a third source said.
Defence. The Summit declaration will address defence and security issues. Ukraine’s willingness to participate in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects will be welcomed.
The Ukrainian authorities have asked the EU to set up a training mission for military personnel in addition to the existing police training mission. On this point, the Europeans are currently analysing the results of an expert mission sent to Kiev in mid-September. The Political and Security Committee (PSC) will discuss the issue in November before any decision is taken.
The EU is also very interested in strengthening and deepening bilateral cooperation on cyber security. A first specific dialogue took place in June and a second will take place in 2022.
Crimea. Finally, the European Union will reiterate its unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
On Monday 11 October, the EU Council decided to impose sanctions on eight law enforcement officials (judges, prosecutors and security officers) responsible for enforcing Russian law in Crimea and Sevastopol, illegally annexed by Russia. “Those individuals have taken biased decisions in politically-motivated cases, and prosecuted or oppressed opponents of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol”, the EU Council said in a statement.
These EU sanctions now apply to 185 individuals and 48 entities. See the eight people targeted: https://bit.ly/3v3pHDP (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)