On March 26 on a visit to Brussels Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko participated in the discussion session “The European Neighborhood Policy: Ok, Let’s Get Real Here”.

In his speech the Minister aired his hope that the future European Neighbourhood Policy would provide for the differentiated approach to the country-partners. K.Gryshchenko stressed that in its current mode the European Neighbourhood Policy was not satisfactory for Ukraine as it could not ensure proper realization of Ukraine’s European aspirations. “Progress Ukraine achieved in the relations with the EU is the result of intensive work in the sphere of democracy development, political and economic reforms”, Gryshchenko emphasized.

At the same time the tasks which Ukraine will face with the Association Agreement’s taking effect, first of all in adaptation of the European legislation, will need huge financial and expert support on the part of the EU, the Minister noted. He drew the attention of the participants that Ukraine would take steps similar to preparation of candidate-countries having no relevant instruments. Thus, in K.Gryshchenko’s opinion, the future ENP must provide for the relevant resources, which would enable to achieve the set ambitious goals.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stressed on the need to give the ENP participant-countries the European perspective, which would give a powerful impetus for encouraging active and systematic reformation and an opportunity to enhance their status of country-participants in Eastern Partnership.

“The European perspective was the main driving force in successful reformation of Central- Eastern Europe countries. Thus, giving the European promise to the EU Eastern neighbours is a prerequisite for success of the new ENP”, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said, adding he expects the next Eastern Partnership Summit in the second half of the year during the Polish presidency to be ambitious.