The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine with interest and big hopes follows the developments in the European Parliament on draft report containing the European Parliament's recommendations to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the negotiations of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement
After a successful vote in the EP International Trade Committee which took place on 14 November 2011 in Strasbourg, EP Foreign Affairs Committee expressed its position by approving the EP draft recommendations on the Association agreement. Therefore, the AFET committee drew a line in a long process of preparation of the document at the level of line structures of this influential European institution.
By its decision the EP Foreign Affairs Committee confirms possibility of initialing Ukraine-EU Association agreement, negotiations on which were completed at the level of delegations on 11 November 2011, by the end of this year. In this regards, we welcome the recognition in the decision adopted of importance of the European perspective for our state, a key instrument for achieving which, as it is stated in the draft recommendations, is the Association agreement.
The MFAof Ukraine emphasizes that after successful conclusion of the negotiations on the Association agreement there are practically no technical obstacles left for entering into a new stage of bilateral relations based on the principles of political association and economic integration. In this regard, Ukraine puts special expectations for the next Ukraine-EU Summit in Kyiv on 19 December which shall become a key event in confirming irreversibility of the European course of the Ukrainian state.
With an interest we received in Ukraine the messages of the EP draft recommendations on Ukraine-EU Association agreement regarding deep and comprehensive free trade area and prospects for visa free regime between Ukraine and the EU. We hope that support expressed by the EP will soon transform in a new achievement towards gradual integration of Ukraine into EU internal market and freedom of movement of the Ukrainian citizens in EU member states.
The Ukrainian side pays a special attention also to critical messages of the draft recommendations and to assessment by the European Parliament of internal political processes taking place in our state. It is guided by the logic of transition to new contractual relations between Ukraine and the EU and of European integration of Ukraine which remains a constant strategic priority of the Ukrainian authorities. Judicial and election reforms, strengthening of democracy and fundamental freedoms, impartial and independent judiciary, rule of law, including in the context of ongoing criminal processes, are among the priorities of the development of Ukraine as a European state which strives to meet the criteria of future EU membership.
The MFAlooks forward to adoption by the European Parliament at its plenary session by the end of this year of final Recommendations on Ukraine-EU Association agreement, to be duly taken into account by the European institutions and member states at the final approval of this historic document.