| 22 November 2010
Opening a joint press-conference on EU-Ukraine summit held in Brussels on November 22nd, the European Council President Herman Van Rompuy briefly reported about its results.
“I am very pleased that we can announce today an Action Plan for Ukraine towards the establishment of a visa free regime for short stay travel”, he said.
“We have also been able to sign a Protocol to the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement permitting Ukraine access to EU programmes. In practice this will allow Ukraine to benefit from EU programmes in areas such as business and entrepreneurship, information and communication technology and energy”, Van Rompuy added.
The President said that the both sides had stressed the importance of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement which is currently being negotiated. “We reiterated our common commitment to establishing a deep and comprehensive free trade area between Ukraine and the EU with a view to providing for gradual integration of Ukraine into the EU’s internal market”. The EU and Ukraine also “looked forward to the conclusion of negotiations as soon as possible while retaining the quality and viability of the Association Agreement”, he underlined, adding that the both sides hope “to conclude negotiations on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in the coming year”.
In his speech Van Rompuy also put an accent on common values shared by EU and Ukraine. “Democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are the core values we share and strive to implement in practice”. “We also discussed and emphasised the importance of respect for freedom of the media, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association, and the protection of human rights defenders”, he added.
The President stressed that “respect for these principles is fundamental to Ukraine’s future development as a competitive, dynamic and innovative society. The pace and depth of rapprochement with the EU is closely associated with this”.
“An Association Agreement is not only economical. This is really the key”, Van Rompuy stressed.
“With Ukraine moving forward in her reform process, the EU stands by her side, to support and assist with both advice and financial resources”, he added.
The European Council President also underlined the importance of the political reforms in Ukraine.
“Constitutional reform remains a priority for Ukraine. This should be carried through an inclusive process in close cooperation with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe”.
He concluded his remarks by saying that “we acknowledge Ukraine's European aspiration and we welcome its European choice”.
 Full text of the remarks by Herman VAN ROMPUY.pdf
Delegation of the EU to Ukraine
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