EU-Ukraine Association Council - Joint press release
Joint press release following the 3rd Association Council
meeting between the European Union and Ukraine
The
European Union and Ukraine held the third meeting of the Association Council on
19 December 2016 in Brussels, one month after a successful 18th EU-Ukraine
Summit. The Association Council reaffirmed the close and comprehensive
partnership between the EU and Ukraine, based on common values of democracy,
rule of law and human rights. It reaffirmed the continuing commitment to
political association and economic integration between the EU and Ukraine. The
importance of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including its Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Area, was underlined in this regard. The Association
Council took note of the decision by EU Heads of State and Government on the
EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which opens the way towards its full entry
into force.
The
Association Council welcomed the substantial progress achieved by Ukraine in
the reform process since its last meeting, including approximation with EU
norms and standards across the board. The EU welcomed the commitment and
determined work of the Government of Ukraine on implementation of political and
economic reforms during its first nine months, reaffirming resolute support for
these efforts and encouraging their continuation in a swift and sustainable
manner. The Association Council welcomed the work of the European Commission's
Support Group for Ukraine in coordinating this support. The Association Council
took stock of progress and discussed the way forward in the reform process as
committed to jointly by the EU and Ukraine in the Association Agenda, notably
regarding human rights, constitutional and electoral reforms, rule of law and
judiciary, decentralisation and local self-governance, public administration,
public procurement, energy sector, deregulation, trade related reforms and
health sector reform. The recent launch of electronic-asset declarations, the
ProZorro public procurement system and the establishment of new anti-corruption
bodies are notable successes in this regard. The Association Council underlined
that progress should be consolidated and continued notably in the field of
anti-corruption by strengthening the capacities and independence of the
anti-corruption institutions.
The
EU reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and
territorial integrity, along with efforts aimed at a sustainable and peaceful
settlement in eastern Ukraine. The EU and Ukraine agreed that the complete
implementation of the Minsk arrangements by all sides was crucial, underlining
Russia's responsibility in this regard. The EU outlined its support for further
efforts in the "Normandy" format and in the context of the OSCE,
including for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission. The EU signalled its
readiness to step up its support for the implementation of the Minsk
agreements, including through a possible OSCE election security mission subject
to discussion in the OSCE, as well as an important role in early recovery and
future reconstruction efforts. The EU recalled that the duration of economic
sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation was linked to the complete
implementation of the Minsk agreements. The EU recalled its policy of
non-recognition of the illegal temporary occupation of Crimea and the city of
Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and condemned the severe deterioration of
the human rights situation on the peninsula and its militarisation by Russia.
The EU reiterated its solidarity as regards the humanitarian situation in
eastern Ukraine, calling on all sides to facilitate the freedom of movement of
civilians, and for the effective provision of social benefits to all Ukrainian
citizens.
The
Association Council acknowledged and welcomed the economic benefits of provisional
application of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area since January 2016,
which has already increased the trade volume between the EU and Ukraine by 7.5%
in the period October 2015-September 2016 compared to the previous year. The
Association Council acknowledged the need for improvement of the business and
investment climate in Ukraine in order to restore the confidence of foreign
investors. The EU also noted the prospects of possible additional trade
opportunities for Ukrainian exports to the EU (beyond trade concessions
included in the DCFTA) arising in the context of the European Commission
legislative proposal for additional Autonomous Trade Measures. The Council also
welcomed the preparations for the first session of the EU-Ukraine High-Level
Industrial Dialogue to be held in Brussels in the first quarter of 2017.
The
Association Council welcomed Ukraine's ambitious agenda and progress to date in
the area of the digital economy and society. Both sides noted considerable
potential for EU-Ukraine cooperation in this area both at the bilateral level
and in the framework of the Digital Community, opening good prospects for
Ukraine's integration in the EU Digital Single Market.
The
EU commended the successful launch of the e-asset declaration system by
Ukraine. The Association Council underlined the importance of processing and
verifying the submitted data in an objective and transparent way. The
Association Council also acknowledged and welcomed progress on visa
liberalisation, on the basis of the legislative proposal by the Commission to
the Council and to the European Parliament, taking into account ongoing process
of approval of the suspension mechanism. The Association Council recalled the
importance of a timely finalisation of the processes required for visa
liberalisation, as underlined by the EU in the Council conclusions on Eastern
Partnership in November 2016.
The
EU outlined the way forward in the implementation of its Macro-Financial
Assistance programme, urging Ukraine to fulfil the outstanding conditions that
could allow the EU to disburse the second tranche of EUR 600 million.
The
Association Council welcomed ongoing and future cooperation in the field of
energy based on the principles of solidarity and trust. The EU reaffirmed Ukraine's
role as a strategic transit country for gas. Both sides welcomed the recent
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic energy partnership
between the EU and Ukraine. The Association Council underlined the importance
of uninterrupted gas delivery to Europe this winter and also took stock of
trilateral talks on gas.
The
Ukrainian side expressed its concern over the revised European Commission's
exemption decision on OPAL pipeline. Both sides agreed to further discussions
on this matter. The Association Council confirmed the readiness of both sides
to continue cooperation on the joint modernisation and operation of the
Ukrainian gas transportation system and storage as well as on gas supplies from
Europe to Ukraine.
The
Association Council reaffirmed the importance of closer bilateral and
multilateral cooperation in justice and home affairs and welcomed in this
context the recent signing of the Agreement between Ukraine and Europol on the
Strategic and Operational Cooperation.
The
Association Council recalled that transport cooperation plays an essential role
for safe and secure movement of people, development of business contacts, the
tourism industry and reliable transportation of goods between Ukraine and the
EU, fulfilling the needs and requirements of the Association Agreement. In this
context the sides discussed the situation of the Common Aviation Area Agreement
between Ukraine and the EU and underlined the importance of its signature at
the earliest possible date.
The
Association Council stressed the importance of a continuous dialogue on the
inclusion of inland waterways of Ukraine in the Trans-European Transport
Network (TEN-T), based on progress to be made by Ukraine as regards compliance
with international environmental conventions.
The
Council reaffirmed the readiness of both sides to continue the cooperation in
order to preserve, protect, and improve the quality of the environment, the
sustainable use of natural resources and promote measures at international
level to address regional and global issues of the environment, particularly in
the context of the Eastern Partnership. The sides agreed on the need for rapid
adoption of pending legislation in Ukraine relating to good environmental
governance.
The
EU recalled that its neighbourhood was a strategic priority and a fundamental
interest as reaffirmed in the recent EU Global Strategy. The Association
Council discussed a number of regional and foreign policy issues, taking stock
of the developments in the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern
Partnership, including preparations of the next Eastern Partnership Summit in
2017. Both sides stressed the importance of effective and strategic
communication with citizens in the framework of EU-Ukraine relations and
Eastern Partnership participation, agreeing to continue cooperation in this
regard.
The
EU reaffirmed its strong commitment to support a comprehensive and sustainable
reform of the civilian security sector in Ukraine, notably by continuing the
implementation of the enhanced mandate of the European Union Advisory Mission
for Civilian Security Sector Reform (EUAM Ukraine), including hands-on support
and based on good governance and human rights. The EU welcomed Ukraine's
interest to continue its engagement with the EU on various Common Security and
Defence Policy activities, including participation in EU-led missions and
operations.
The
Association Council welcomed:
·
signing of the financing
agreement for Public Administration Reform (PAR) programme, a 104 million euro
contribution to support policy development, civil service and human resource
management;
·
announcement of the PRAVO
programme of 52.5 million euro to support rule of law in Ukraine, namely
judiciary and law enforcement;
·
signing of financing agreements
for four Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) programmes in which Ukraine
participates;
·
signing of five agreements
between Ukraine and the European Investment Bank, underlining the importance of
further successful cooperation in line with the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Government of Ukraine and the European Investment Bank.
·
The
Council was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Federica Mogherini. The First Deputy
Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mr Stepan Kubiv, led the Ukrainian delegation,
accompanied by other members of the Government of Ukraine.
EUROPEAN COUNCIL: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/12/19-eu-ukraine-association-joint-press-release/