Plenkovic: EU ‘to promote peaceful solution for Ukraine’
In addition to an 11 billion euro financial package, European Union experts will assist Ukraine to organise fair and democratic elections and assist reforms needed for the formation of an economically strong, independent, pro-European state, said Andrej Plenkovic, chairman of the EU delegation to Ukraine.
”In finding the solution, through wider relations between the EU and Ukraine, the EP’s Delegation for Relations with Ukraine will have a significant role,” Plenkovic told SETimes. “We are ready to work actively to promote finding a peaceful solution to the crisis and to participate in the observation of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukraine.”
Military offensives in the east and southeast of the country and the illegal annexation of Crimea have fostered a deep crisis in Ukraine, Plenkovic said.
However, parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26th are a chance for Ukrainians to change the situation since the elections are important for the country’s development, Plenkovic said.
Plenkovic, a MEP from Croatia, said he is convinced that in the elections, Ukrainian people will confirm that they are choosing the European path and vote for pro-European forces to form the new government.
”There is no doubt that the organisation of elections in the midst of undeclared war is a political, organisational and security challenge,” Plenkovic said. “However, a truce which was signed in Minsk on September 5th and involvement of foreign observers gives hope that it is possible to organise free and fair elections. Together with members of the delegations I am ready to participate in the observation of the parliamentary elections in Ukraine and thus help to improve the transparency of the electoral process.”
Experts said Ukraine has already confirmed its European choice by signing the Association Agreement with the EU on September 16th.
“Maidan in Kyiv showed that Ukraine, for the first time in history, made its civilisation and geo-strategic choice for Europe,” Serhiy Taran, director of Kyiv-based International Institute for Democracy, told SETimes. “The role of Europe in Ukraine is very important. Europe is an example, a guide for reforms. Ukrainian society is ready to adopt European experience in order to implement it in various spheres of life. Europe always supported the democratic process in Ukraine. It is very important to hear that Europe is ready to help not only economically but also continues helping us to establish democratic processes in our country.”
Plenkovic said the agreement with the EU has a historical importance for Ukraine and provides “a new legal, political and economic framework of relations for Ukraine and the EU.”
According to Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the agreement needs to be implemented by the end of 2017.
“Why such a short deadline? Because it is of key importance to fulfil this agreement, to align the Ukrainian legislation with the EU standards, to demonstrate that Ukraine abides by EU rules, that we have implemented European reforms, changes that make Ukraine a European state not on paper, but in reality,” Yatsenyuk wrote on his Facebook page.
“The sooner we adopt these changes, the sooner the EU will see that the agreement was implemented,” he said. “The sooner will we have a chance to submit a membership application and to say we fulfil the criteria, we signed the agreement and implemented it, and in accordance with Article 49 of the Maastricht Treaty, Ukraine may seek membership in the EU.”
Correspondent Ruslan Sharipov in Kyiv contributed to this report.
What are the most important reforms Ukraine should launch to fulfil the Association Agreement requirements and begin its EU membership process? Share your thoughts in the comments section.