#EU and #Ukraine reaffirm their strong partnership

Yesterday (24 November), the European Union and Ukraine reaffirmed their strong partnership and shared commitment to a comprehensive reform agenda at the EU-Ukraine Summit in Brussels.

The European Union resolutely supports Ukraine’s continuing reform efforts, and several new commitments were made in order to facilitate and encourage the further swift and sustainable implementation of reforms adopted so far.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission and Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council represented the European Union alongside the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko.

At the press conference following the Summit, President Juncker said: "Over the last two or three years, while working faithfully with President Poroshenko and his government, we have witnessed a great deal more progress during this short period than in the previous twenty years." Speaking about the prospect of visa-free travel for the citizens of Ukraine, President Juncker said: "Ukraine has fulfilled all the conditions that we have set, and so it is only normal that, after having seen Ukraine undertake all the reforms that have been asked for, the European Union, for its part, delivers. I remain convinced that despite the difficulties and the divergences that can exist between certain Member States and the European Parliament, we will be able to grant visa liberalization for Ukraine before the end of the year".

The three Presidents were joined by the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, for a leaders' meeting and by the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, Commission Vice-Presidents Maroš Šefčovič and Valdis Dombrovskis, and Commissioners Johannes Hahn and Cecilia Malmström for the plenary session.

The Summit provided the occasion for the European Union to confirm a range of specific support programmes including on decentralization, the fight against corruption, public administration reform and the rule of law. In addition to these programmes, which are part of a package totaling €300 million, the European Union will provide €6 million for community policing and public order and an additional €5 million to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, for which it has already provided €25 million.

A new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Energy Partnership between the EU and Ukraine was singed, which foresees enhanced cooperation on a number of energy topics.

The Summit was an opportunity for the leaders and other participants to discuss the opportunities created already by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The European Union also was able to outline the way forward regarding EU Macro-Financial Assistance to Ukraine and welcomed the agreement on the negotiating position on visa liberalization reached by the Council ahead of the Summit, demonstrating its commitment to grant visa-free travel for short stays in the Schengen area to citizens of Ukraine. The European Union also reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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