A Joint Communication by the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy “A new response to a changing Neighbourhood” which was published on the 25th of May 2011 constitutes an important stage of comprehensive discussion on the ways of improving the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

We welcome the fact that the Partner States have been engaged in discussing the key elements of this document.

We also positively note the readiness of the EU to develop relations with the Eastern Partnership countries on the basis of principles of political association and economic integration. Implementation of these principles provides for strengthening common values which are fundamental for the EU and envisaged in Article 49 of EU Treaty.

Political association and economic integration are exactly the principles upon which Ukraine – EU Association Agreement will be built establishing a new basis for implementation of European integration course of Ukraine.

We expect that provisions of the Joint Communication will be developed and further deepened in the course of preparation to the Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw on the 29-30th of September. Ukraine is ready for active cooperation with the Polish Presidency in order to provide for maximum effectiveness of the Summit.

Ukraine will use ENP and EaP instruments favouring implementation of its European integration course. At the same time bilateral format of relations with the EU will remain a top priority for Ukraine.