Joint statement of Prime Ministers of Ukraine, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Latvia and Republic of Lithuania as a result of the meeting in Kyiv

JOINT STATEMENT

of Prime Ministers of Ukraine, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Latvia and Republic of Lithuania as a result of the meeting in Kyiv on 6 April 2017

On 6 April 2017, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia Māris Kučinskis and Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis held a quadrilateral meeting in Kyiv.

As an outcome of the meeting the Heads of Government of Ukraine, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Latvia and Republic of Lithuania declare the following:

1.         We express unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

2.         We resolutely condemn Russian aggression against Ukraine and underline that sanctions imposed on Russia must remain in place until the full implementation of the Minsk agreements and restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

3.         We will never recognize the attempt of annexation of the integral part of the territory of Ukraine – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol and demand from the Russian Federation restoration of the respect to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and return to unconditional fulfillment of its commitments under international law.

4.         We call on the international society to continue active political and diplomatic efforts for restoring the Ukraine’s territorial integrity in its internationally recognized borders in interests of stability and security of the entire Europe.

5.         We call upon the Russian Federation to immediately release all citizens of Ukraine who are illegally detained in the territory of the Russian Federation, in the temporarily occupied Crimea and certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine which are beyond the control of the Government of Ukraine. 

6.         We welcome the progress made by the Ukrainian Government in carrying out the necessary reforms, the important steps taken in the energy sector, judicial reforms and formation of new anti-corruption institutions. We consider further implementation of the reforms with continued international support as paramount. Successful reforms are also indispensable in improving the business climate and attracting foreign direct investments.

7.         We will firmly support the course of Ukraine to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In the run-up to the next Eastern Partnership Summit in November 2017 in Brussels under the Estonian Presidency of the EU, we reaffirm our joint commitment to this Partnership and underline its importance to stability, democracy and prosperity of the region, bringing also concrete benefits for our people. 

8.         We underline the need to take swift decisions on granting Ukrainian citizens visa-free travel for short stays to the Schengen area.

9.         We positively note the efficiency of the application of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area provisions of the Association Agreement, advantages of which are obvious both for Ukraine and the EU. Ensuring successful implementation of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement is a major common task. Therefore, we stand for the speediest finalization of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement ratification process.

10.       We will continue to further strengthen the cooperation on the basis of mutual trust and respect, openness and comprehensive cooperation for the benefit of the people of our countries.