Let me thank you
for this opportunity to discuss the situation in Ukraine with the European
Parliament. Much attention has been given to other pressing problems lately,
but Ukraine remains a top priority for the EU. We must not underestimate what
is at stake. First and foremost, it is human lives. The latest numbers are
appalling: almost 8000 people killed, 1.5 million displaced and another 1.1
million have left the country since the start of the conflict. Second, basic
principles of international law have been challenged: territorial integrity,
sovereignty and the inviolability of borders – cornerstones of the European
security order. Crimea and Sevastopol have been illegally annexed by the
Russian Federation.
I want to thank the EP for keeping Ukraine high on the agenda.
The interparliamentary meetings, the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the EP and the Rada on parliamentary support and capacity building and recent visits to Ukraine by the JURI, INTA, DROI and AFET committees are just a few examples. In less than two weeks, some of you will travel to Ukraine to monitor the local elections – another opportunity for the Ukrainian people to exercise their democratic rights. All of this strengthens EU-Ukraine relations. Your role cannot be overestimated.
The EP has ratified the Association Agreement a bit more than a year ago, paving the way towards an era of new opportunities for citizens in Ukraine, based on its political association and economic integration with the European Union.
During the last plenary debate on Ukraine in February, you discussed at length the Normandy format and the Minsk Agreements. HRVP stressed then that the diplomatic efforts led by Germany and France are genuinely European, and that we must remain united in our support of the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group in order to achieve results.
A lot has happened since then. During spring and summer, the situation on the ground deteriorated. Nevertheless, Ukraine has adopted decentralization-related amendments to the constitution in the first reading. This includes a provision enabling special arrangements for self-government in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in line with the Minsk Agreements.
Since 1 September, following intense diplomatic efforts, the ceasefire, which was first agreed in September 2014, is finally being largely respected. Two weeks ago, an agreement was reached on the withdrawal of tanks and smaller weapons, the implementation of which has already begun. The EU-supported OSCE SMM is growing further to its full strength of 1000 monitors on the ground to cope with all new tasks of verification and monitoring. We know however that it is not the number of monitors only but above all their full access to the territory which can make a real difference. That is why we emphasise the need for it strongly. Demining on both sides of the LoC (line of contact) has started. The Normandy summit of 2 October gave further impetus to the political process and the separatist so-called elections in Luhansk and Donetsk – which would have violated Minsk – have now been deferred.
Does this mean that the conflict is almost over? Clearly not. Cases of shooting and shelling still take place, people continue to die. IDPs are unable to return to their homes. The modalities of the local elections according to OSCE standards still need to be fixed under Ukrainian law. The special arrangement for self-government has to be agreed and an amnesty implemented. There should be no Russian forces on Ukrainian soil. Ukraine should regain control over the 450-km long segment of its border that it has been forced to abandon.
Nevertheless, what we do have now is a process that is moving in the right direction, albeit slowly and sometimes hesitantly. This is no small thing. The joint support of EU institutions and member states to this process has certainly contributed substantially.
The EU will continue to support the process, including through financial and in-kind contributions to the OSCE special monitoring mission. Also, the EU and its Member States have contributed over 242 million euro in humanitarian and recovery aid, including 42 million provided by the Commission to all affected populations, including refugees in Russia and Belarus.
In parallel, the Commission engages in trilateral talks on energy and DCFTA implementation. They ensure that gas supplies to and through Ukraine remain uninterrupted during the winter season. They also address Russia's concerns about the DCFTA without amending or delaying the implementation of the agreement from 1 January onwards.
Ladies and gentlemen,
EU relations with Ukraine develop dynamically despite the difficult realities of the conflict its authorities and above all its people have to face. Our goal remains to help them create a well-functioning state and a successful economy. Just a few examples:
• The Support Group for Ukraine continues to focus EU advice, technical assistance and financial resources on the Ukrainian reform process. Over 6 billion of the original 11 billion euro support package announced by the EU in March 2014 has already been mobilised to launch the reforms that will secure its future.
• The EU Advisory Mission to Ukraine is doing important work to assist security sector reforms. Its mandate is currently under review to further streamline its activities toward Ukraine's most immediate needs.
• On Visa Liberalization, we are moving towards the goal of visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens to the EU, an important step to enhance people-to-people contacts. Further progress is needed notably in the fight against corruption.
To sum up, we have reason to be cautiously optimistic about progress on the diplomatic track if we remain united. And we will continue to support Ukraine on its path to becoming a prosperous country. These are our joint objectives, and I look forward to working towards them together.
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