Paris, 15/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - "More than ever we hope to see Ukraine come closer to the EU - as Ukraine is European by its geography, its culture and its ability to make a major contribution to the stability and security of the whole of the European continent", French President Jacques Chirac told the press (in his capacity as European Council President) at the end of the third EU/Ukraine Summit held on Friday at the Elysée. The EU is willing to engage in enhanced cooperation with Ukraine in every field, mainly through the ambitious implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the EU's common strategy in favour of Ukraine adopted during the Helsinki Summit in December 1998.
Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma, also, insisted on the importance of these two instruments for immediate intensification of relations with the Fifteen, but he also - and above all - restated that the strategic long term objective of his country was European Union membership. During elections in 1999, the Ukrainian people "opted for Europe by an overwhelming majority", said Mr Kuchma. "There is no alternative to the European road, and there is no other road to take" for his country, he said. The Ukrainian President did not, however, rule out that Ukraine might also consolidate relations with Russia ("a strategic partner") as well as with the other countries of the New Independent States (NIS) of the former USSR. President Chirac and European Commission President Romano Prodi both affirmed that they welcome Ukraine's European orientation, but that it was still too early to speak of EU membership. "This must be taken step by step", said Mr Chirac.
The strengthened cooperation desired by the EU and Ukraine also covers common defence and security policy. Mr Kuchma restated before the press his country's interest to consolidate consultation and cooperation in this field, and, moreover, he submitted to the EU delegation "proposals for first measures to be taken", he said. Javier Solana, High EU Representative for external policy (who also took part at the Summit), confirmed the existence of such proposals that he promised to examine in detail, with a view to discussing them during a visit to Kiev in the near future.
The forthcoming closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was, as planned, one of the central issues discussed at the Summit. Mr Kuchma restated that the plant would be closed by 15 December this year ("an historic event"), but he also insisted on the commitments that the G-7 countries have made concerning the joint funding of the two alternative nuclear plants. The joint statement adopted after the Summit points out that the EU "will continue to support Ukraine in the financing of replacement capacities and other energy sector projects". Community sources pointed out that an EBRD decision in favour of co-financing could be taken in November and that, after this, the Commission would release an Euratom loan.
As far as Ukraine's difficult economic situation is concerned, the Fifteen "encouraged" the Ukrainian authorities to continue their reforms and to take additional measures in the taxation, trade, energy, agriculture and privatisation fields especially, it is indicated in the Joint Statement. "Such progress would also enable the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to resume its lending". The EU, for its part, is "recalled its readiness to support these reforms, notably in the framework of the new indicative Tacis programme and, once IMF lending has resumed, through macro-financial assistance" it is stated in the Joint Statement.
Regarding EU enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe, President Kuchma explicitly stressed his country's favourable position. He said Ukraine supports the current deepening and enlargement of the EU as it will contribute towards stability in Europe, including in Ukraine. However, stressed Mr Kuchma, "EU enlargement must take our interests into account" and must not lead to "further divisions" in Europe. Mr Prodi, European Commission President, stressed that the EU and the Commission were willing to discuss with Ukraine the political and commercial impact of enlargement. This consultation will take place within the meetings and structures created by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), after the fashion of what was done for Russia, said Mr Prodi.
Speedy membership by Ukraine to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), that EU hopes for and is willing to support (mainly through technical assistance), would allow Ukraine to fully benefit from economic and commercial opportunities which will open up with EU enlargement eastwards, we read in the final statement. Economic development in Ukraine's favour on these bases (and mainly after WTO membership) could also open the door to consultation between the EU and Ukraine on the possibility of establishing a free trade area (such consultations are foreseen under PCA). President Kuchma said he was confident that, with EU aid, his country could join the WTO during 2001.
In the field of trade, the two parties reiterated their desire to resolve as quickly as possible the existing disputed. The EU announced that it is "considering removing" the Ukraine from the list of third countries considered as still being "non-market economy" States in the framework of the anti-dumping procedures (as the EU has already done for Russia and China).