Brussels, 04/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - With a few days to go till the EU/Ukraine Summit next Tuesday (9 September) in Evian on the banks of Lake Léman, member states are still divided over the Ukraine's European prospects. This is a topical subject due to the ongoing negotiations for a new bilateral agreement to replace the Cooperation and Partnership Agreement. According to certain sources, the conflict between Russia and Georgia and its possible impact on neighbouring countries to the east of the EU, make this debate increasingly urgent. The Evian summit is expected to adopt a declaration on the future EU/Ukraine agreement, as well as a more general declaration on the state of relations. The two draft texts are still the subject of discussions at the Council and among the Ukrainian authorities. EU27 foreign ministers might also debate the matter during their informal meeting (Gymnich) on Friday and Saturday in Avignon (see other article).
Following the debate at the July External Relations Council (EUROPE 9708) and this week's Coreper debate, the EU27 are now backing the French presidency of the EU's proposal, whereby the future new agreement should be called an “association agreement”. There is also an agreement at the Council for opening a dialogue on the long term scrapping of visa obligations for Ukrainian citizens who want to go to the EU (Kiev has already abolished this obligation for EU citizens). On the other hand, it is still stuck with regard to the preamble of the future association agreement, which has to define values, principles and objectives for the long term. Ukraine wants to join the Union and believes that the preamble should confirm the country's European prospects. In practice, Kiev would like to see the EU acknowledging the Ukraine as a “European country” with the right to submit its accession candidacy, in respect of the treaty (EUROPE 9705).
Certain member states such as Poland, the Czech Republic, United Kingdom and Sweden are very actively supporting the Ukraine's accession prospects and will keep an eye out for the association agreement to closely stick to this objective. Most member states, including the French presidency, are appealing, however, for a more cautious approach. They consider that the association agreement should “acknowledge” Ukraine as a “European country that shares a common history” with EU countries. They are also prepared to acknowledge Ukraine's European aspirations but insist that this affirmation does not constitute any kind of promise of accession.
According to diplomats, other countries, particularly the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as Luxembourg, Austria, Spain and Portugal, are even more reticent. They are hoping to expand and deepen cooperation with Ukraine through the future association agreement but are refusing to forego the necessary stages involved in the European integration of the country. They believe that it would be going too far to talk about “European prospects” or deciding that Ukraine is a European country and under the treaty has the right to submit its candidacy. On the contrary, the preamble in the association agreement should clearly stipulate that the new contractual framework does not in any way “prejudge the future of EU/Ukrainian relations”. The Dutch are afraid of a “salami policy”, which would see the EU making successive concessions to Ukraine that ultimately risk making unwanted promises of accession. On Thursday, a Dutch diplomat stated, “we want a very strong package of cooperation with Ukraine but at this point in time, it's very difficult to say anything about the future of the EU/Ukraine relationship”. (H.B./trans/rh)