Connect with us

EU

#Ukraine: Dutch parliament will vote on clarified agreement

SHARE:

Published

on

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

161215dutchref2The European Council, made up of the EU’s 28 heads of government, believe that they have found a way to resolve the result of the Dutch referendum rejecting the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). A new annex aims to address Dutch concerns without modifying the current agreement, writes Catherine Feore. 

The agreement has already been ratified by all other member states. It will be put to the vote again in the Netherlands on 15 March. The new annex makes six clarifications:

1) The agreements with Ukraine are not a precursor to EU accession, either now or in the future.

2) While the agreement offers co-operation in the field of security, it does not contain any obligation to provide military assistance. In other words the EU is not making a commitment to collective defence, so an attack on Ukraine is not considered to be commensurate with an attack on an EU state.

3) While enhancing the mobility of citizens, the agreement does not grant Ukrainian nationals or EU citizens the right to reside and work freely within the territory of the EU or Ukraine respectively.

4) The agreement reiterates the commitment of the Union to support the reform process in Ukraine. It does not require additional financial support or determine the level of bilateral financial support offered by the EU.

5) Fighting corruption in Ukraine is central to the agreement. Co-operation is aimed at helping to combat corruption and safeguarding the impartiality of the judiciary.

Advertisement

6) In the event of non-fulfilment of obligations – particularly when it comes to the rule of law – it will be possible to suspend any rights or obligations provided for in the Agreement.

This new annex is legally binding on the 28 member states of the European Union, and may be amended or repealed only by common accord of their heads of state or government. To take effect it must be ratified by the Dutch. If this does not happen the agreement will cease to exist.

Share this article:

EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter.

Trending