Brussels, 22/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Monday the EU/Ukraine Cooperation Council adopted and signed the “improved” three year action plan (2005-07) which the EU had proposed to Ukraine after the “Orange Revolution” for implementing the EU's new neighbourhood policy with the country. The Luxembourg minister of foreign affairs and president of the Council of the EU, Jean Asselborn, informed the press that, “the commitment by the Ukrainian authorities to democracy and reforms, creates new prospects in relations between the European Union and Ukraine. The Union underlined its commitment to support Ukraine in this key moment in its history. Implementation of the action plan should begin immediately”.
On Monday during the External Relations Council, EU foreign affairs ministers approved ten additional measures proposed by the EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, and the European Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in view of strengthening the action plan that had been initially planned for “honouring” the democratic evolution of Ukraine embodied by the election of the new president Victor Yushchenko. Improvements introduced to the action plan aim to conclude a new reinforced bilateral agreement (which will replace the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement), support Ukraine's candidacy to the WTO, facilitate market access and speed up contacts and preparatory work to enable Ukraine obtain market economy status as soon as it fulfils the final conditions necessary (see details in EUROPE 26 January p 7). Ms Ferrero-Waldner welcomed the adoption of the action plan, which she described as “a big step forward and has the potential to bring the EU and Ukraine much closer together”. For the instant, neighbourhood policy towards Ukraine and the possible accession of the country to the EU are “two different things”, underlined Mr Asselborn, who did not rule out, however, other developments in cooperation that could influence future developments on this position.
On Monday, the External Relations adopted conclusions on Ukraine in which the EU is said to be prepared to “push things rapidly forward in all aspects (of implementation) of the action plan”, even if the rhythm of this implementation “finally depends on the quality of the efforts made by the Ukrainian authorities”. An initial examination of implementation of the action plan is planned for the beginning of 2006, “on the condition that significant progress has been accomplished”.
The Ukrainian vice prime minister in charge of European integration, Oleg Rybatchouk, signed the action plan and informed the press that Ukraine did not yet intend to submit a request for joining the EU and had to first of all confirm its European aspirations through its action. A few weeks ago during a visit to Brussels, two days before the investiture of Mr Yushchenko, Mr Rybatchouk displayed far more impatience and affirmed that the request for accession would be submitted immediately (EUROPE 22 January p 4).