Summary: 14 September 2007, Kiev - Joint Statement from EU-Ukraine Summit
The leaders of the European Union and Ukraine have met in Kiev today, at the annual EU-Ukraine Summit. The Summit was hosted by Mr Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, accompanied by Mr Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The EU was represented by Mr José Socrates, Prime Minister of Portugal, in his capacity as the President of the European Council, assisted by Secretary-General/High Representative Javier Solana, and by President of the
European Commission Jose Manuel Durão Barroso. The President of the European Council was accompanied by Foreign Minister Luis Amado. The President of the Commission was accompanied by Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
The leaders of the EU and Ukraine reaffirmed strong and sustained ties between the Parties. Further movement of Ukraine towards consolidation of democracy, strengthening of the rule of law and respect for human rights will reinforce these ties and will contribute to a new, advanced level of relations with the EU, based upon principles of close and privileged political links, and deeper economic integration. The EU leaders emphasised that the holding of free and fair early parliamentary
elections in Ukraine in September and the formation of an effective and stable Government would be the best evidence of the country's ability to accomplish this goal. The Ukrainian side reaffirmed its resolve to ensure the democratic character of the election process and abide by its results.
The Parties welcomed the important progress achieved in the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan. They noted the launch of negotiations on a new enhanced agreement, the finalisation and signature of agreements on visa facilitation and readmission and positive co-operation with the EU Border Assistance Mission at the Ukrainian-Moldovan border (EUBAM). The EU leaders emphasised that Ukraine's success in stabilising her political system would be a major factor determining her capacity to
move forward with political and economic reforms.
The leaders welcomed the progress report on the negotiations on the new enhanced agreement. They reiterated their vision of the agreement as an innovative and ambitious document which goes beyond the established framework of co-operation and opens a new stage in EU-Ukraine relations. They reaffirmed their intention to launch negotiations on a deep and comprehensive Free Trade Area as a core element of the agreement following finalisation of Ukraine's accession to the WTO. In this context, the
EU leaders confirmed their full support for Ukraine's progress towards WTO membership and underlined the importance of solving outstanding issues as a matter of priority.
The Summit welcomed continued close co-operation in the area of foreign and security policy, in particular on regional stability and crisis management. It noted the increasing convergence of the Parties' positions on regional and international issues through mechanisms of regular policy consultations, alignment of Ukraine with EU foreign policy positions and participation of Ukraine in EU crisis management efforts. EU leaders expressed their high appreciation of Ukraine's role in EU-led crisis
management operations.
The leaders of the EU and Ukraine confirmed their intentions for further development of co-operation on the settlement of regional conflicts, non-proliferation of WMD, namely in the framework of the G8 Initiative on Global Partnership against proliferation of materials and weapons of mass destruction, fight against terrorism, prevention of emergency situations, and destruction of outdated and excessive SALW and ammunition.
The leaders of Ukraine and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to constructive co-operation to achieve a sustainable, comprehensive and just settlement to the Transnistrian conflict. Both sides emphasised the importance of the existing customs regime at the Transnistrian segment of the Ukrainian-Moldovan state border according to the Joint Statement of 30 December 2005. The Parties noted the effective work of the EUBAM as an example of mutually beneficial and successful EU-Ukraine co-operation
and welcomed its prolongation for another two year period. The EU leaders encouraged Ukraine to ensure proper implementation of the Protocols of 21 November 2006 on exchange of customs and border information between Ukraine and Moldova.
The leaders also discussed the situation in Belarus and relations with Russia.
The Parties expressed satisfaction with the deepening of co-operation in the trade and economic sphere. This includes the conclusion of agreements on trade in steel products and textiles, enhanced co-operation regarding trade defence instruments and a new regular dialogue in the area of agriculture and rural development. They referred to the need for further improving the business and investment climate in Ukraine, specifically through progress on the rule of law, the reform of the judiciary
and the fight against corruption. The Parties welcomed the substantial increase of trade between the EU and Ukraine in 2006. At the same time, they agreed that trade trends which include a growing trade deficit on the Ukrainian side would be subject to further discussions at expert level. They confirmed the intention to continue working closely together on the resolution of outstanding bilateral issues.
The leaders of Ukraine and the EU reaffirmed their joint strategic interest in energy co-operation. They welcomed the significant progress achieved in implementing the priorities of the EU-Ukraine Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation in the field of energy of 1 December 2005, as reflected in the progress report presented to the Summit. They agreed to continue co-operation with the aim of advancing Ukrainian energy sector reform and of ensuring safe, reliable and transparent energy
transit through Ukraine. The EU leaders commended Ukraine on obtaining observer status in the Treaty on the Energy Community and pledged EU support for her efforts to acquire membership. The Parties noted the good progress in bilateral co-operation on climate change and stressed the need to launch negotiations on a global and comprehensive post-2012 agreement at the United Nations climate change conference in December this year and to complete them by 2009.
The leaders welcomed the concrete steps taken to improve nuclear safety in Ukraine, such as the successful completion of the stabilisation measures of the existing Chernobyl shelter, and the agreement reached by Ukraine, the European Commission and the IAEA on the Terms of Reference for the joint evaluation of safety of the Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
The Parties stressed the importance of the implementation of the revised Action Plan on Justice, Freedom and Security, endorsed by the EU-Ukraine Co-operation Council on 18 June 2007, and the accompanying Scoreboard. The Parties looked forward to the swift finalisation of negotiations on the Ukraine-Europol Strategic Agreement. The Parties welcomed the signing of the Working Arrangements on the establishment of operational co-operation between the Ukrainian Border Guard Service and FRONTEX and
the contacts initiated between relevant Ukrainian authorities and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.
The Summit welcomed the signature of the agreements on visa facilitation and readmission and agreed to take all necessary measures for their quick ratification and full implementation.
Pending this, Ukraine requested EU Member States to further improve the processing of visa applications of Ukrainian citizens. The Parties recalled the joint declaration on technical and financial assistance in the framework of the readmission agreement. The Parties pledged to further develop their co-operation on JFS issues in the context of the future new enhanced agreement.
EU leaders welcomed Ukraine's European choice and emphasised that further internal reforms and introduction of European standards would bring Ukraine closer to the EU.
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