Parliaments of European Union and Ukraine ratified simultaneously Association Agreement, but the Commission would propose to Member States to delay application of the trade related provisions as agreed by two sides and Russia.
“We welcome the simultaneous ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in the Verkhovna Rada and in the European Parliament today as an important step in Ukraine’s political association and economic integration with the European Union,” President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said in a joint statement.
“The Association Agreement will provide a blueprint for Ukraine’s transformation into a modern and prosperous European democracy,” they added.
According to the agreed outcome at the trilateral ministerial meeting on 12 September between the EU, Ukraine and Russia on the implementation of the EU-Ukraine AA/DCFTA, the Commission will now propose to Member States delaying until 31 December 2015 the provisional application of the trade related provisions of the Association Agreement, and at the same time propose the continued application of the EU’s autonomous trade measures for the benefit of Ukraine.
For its part, Russia confirmed that the CISFTA preferential regime with Ukraine will continue to apply. The three sides have agreed that consultations will continue and shall be part of an overall peace process in Ukraine, respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity as well as its right to decide its own destiny.
President Barroso spoke with President Putin by phonefollowing the trilateral talks of last Friday on the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
Both Presidents marked their agreement with the joint conclusions reached in the Trilateral talks.
These conclusions should be implemented and on the EU side this will now be discussed with the Member States.On this basis, President Putin confirmed that there would be no changes to the current bilateral trade regime between Russia and Ukraine.
The two Presidents also discussed the energy situation and it was agreed that a trilateral meeting at ministerial level should take place. Russia will propose a date for this very shortly.
President Barroso underlined the need for a full respect of the 12 point cease fire plan agreed in Minsk.
Both Presidents agreed that these steps should contribute to a political and peaceful solution, in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
