Brussels, 17/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - The negotiations which are taking place between the European Union and Ukraine on an “enhanced” partnership agreement are progressing well and “good progress” has been made in the first four negotiation meetings, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told press in Brussels on Tuesday, following her meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. There were, however, “still some small questions open”, relating to Ukraine's joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO), something the European Union “fully” supports and which Kiev would like to complete “by the end of the year”, according to Mr Yatsenyuk.
Accession to the WTO is all the more important for Ukraine as it would open the way for direct negotiations with the EU on setting up, ultimately, a free-trade area “which would constitute a core element of the future enhanced agreement with Ukraine”, replacing the current partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA), Ms Ferrero-Waldner said. The Ukrainian minister confirmed that informal talks with the EU on this free trade area were already under way.
Ms Ferrero-Waldner also highlighted how important it was for Ukraine to have a “stable political framework” and to ensure that September's general election would be democratic and free. “My message today is to say: these elections will be transparent, democratic and legitimate. These will be the most transparent elections” the country has ever held, responded Mr Yatsenyuk. (hb)