PRESS PACKS

EU-Ukraine 2011: an overview of relations

15-05-2012

 
Ukraine has taken “positive steps” towards deeper long-term future relations with the EU by working intensively to finalise the negotiations of the Association Agreement, but its “progress in achieving important structural reforms and implementing the Association Agenda priorities remained below expectations.”
 
These are some of the conclusions of the Country Report on how EU-Ukraine relations evolved between 1 January and 31 December 2011 released on 15 May 2012 by the European Commission. The report includes recommendations on how Ukraine can step up the implementation of the AP.
 
Among achievements, the report singles out the conclusion of negotiations on the Association Agreement, which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), as well as Ukraine’s accession to the Energy Community Treaty, and progress in the implementation of the first phase of the Action Plan for visa liberalisation.
 
However, the report is critical of what it describes as “further deterioration in the area of democracy and human rights.” It cites cases of several leading opposition figures, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, having been subjected to selective justice, giving rise to substantial criticism at home and abroad.
 
Despite the adoption of new legislation, corruption perception remains high and Ukraine maintains a low position in relevant international indices, the report says, with conditions for business and investment getting worse.
 
The report comes up with a number of recommendations, in particular inviting Ukraine to:
 
•   Ensure that constitutional reform process is carried out in an inclusive and transparent way and in close cooperation with the Council of Europe/Venice Commission;
•   Implement the Association Agenda priorities concerning the respect for the rule of law and democratic values;
•   Bring legislation on freedom of assembly and media freedom in line with European standards;
•   Address the issue of politically-motivated selective justice;
•   Take effective action to tackle conflict of interest and corruption as well as specific obstacles to business and investment;
•   Prepare and conduct the 2012 parliamentary elections in line with the OSCE standards etc.
 
The Ukraine Progress Report is part of a set of documents released by the EU in the framework of its annual assessment of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
 
The package also incudes reports on progress in relations between the EU and its other Neighbours in the East (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova), the Report on the Eastern Partnership (EaP) activities in 2011, which takes stock of the progress in implementation of the EaP, and the Roadmap to the autumn 2013 EaP Summit, which sets out the objectives to be pursued in the near future and the expected achievements. (EU Neighbourhood Info) 
 
Read more
 
Republic of Ukraine Progress Report
  
Eastern Partnership – activities in 2011 Report 
 
Eastern Partnership: A Roadmap to the autumn 2013 Summit
 
Eastern Partnership Roadmap 2012-2013: Multilateral dimension 
 
Eastern Partnership Roadmap 2012-2013: Bilateral dimension
 
Info Centre alert - EU assesses reforms in the Neighbourhood (15 May)
 
EU Info Centre country page Ukraine
 

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