662nd Meeting of the Permanent Council
The European Union warmly welcomes the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, H.E. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, to this meeting of the Permanent Council and thanks him for his address. We should like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. Minister, on your recent appointment to this important post.The EU follows the internal developments in Ukraine closely. We listened with great interest to Minister Yatsenyuk’s analysis of the political situation in his country and we welcome Ukraine’s determination to find a workable solution to the current political crisis. This will require moderation, dialogue and a willingness to reach political compromise on the part of all those involved. We welcome the fact that President Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yanukovych maintain a permanent contact to find a solution to the political deadlock. The EU expects Ukraine to resolve its current political difficulties at the negotiating table and in compliance with its constitution and democratic rules. The EU calls on all political forces in Ukraine to refrain from escalating tensions.
The EU once again acknowledges Ukraine’s European aspirations and welcomes Ukraine’s European choice. The EU maintains its strong commitment to supporting Ukraine’s political and economic reforms, aimed at further strengthening democracy, stability and prosperity in the country. The implementation of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan and the negotiation of a new enhanced Agreement will help to build an increasingly close relationship between the EU and Ukraine, aimed at gradual economic integration and deepening political co-operation. In this context, we welcome the recent decision by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to endorse the extension of the mandate of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) by two years.
The EU appreciates Ukraine’s active and constructive engagement in the settlement process of the Transnistrian conflict in Moldova. As an immediate neighbour of the region and as observer in the negotiations, the European Union lends its full support to the ongoing efforts to resume the negotiation process in the 5+2 format as soon as possible. It urges the parties concerned, in particular the Transnistrian side, to take a constructive approach and to recommit themselves unconditionally to the settlement process.
The EU and Ukraine co-operate closely in all three OSCE dimensions. We are pleased that the Government of Ukraine continues to enjoy good relations with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and that there has been an increase in the number of requests by Ukrainian partners for assistance through projects. The EU values the co-operation between Ukraine’s Government and the ODIHR, including on implementation of ODIHR’s recommendations for further improving the electoral process in Ukraine.
Mr. Chairman, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine has just reminded all of us about the sad anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. The best tribute we can pay to the memory of all victims of Chernobyl is to ensure that the lessons learned from this accident prevent a tragedy such as this from ever happening again.
Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, we would like once again to thank H.E. Foreign Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk for addressing the Permanent Council today, and wish him and his country all the best for the challenging tasks ahead.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, as well as EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
