EU and Ukraine Need Each Other, Head of EU Delegation to Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine, September 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

EU Ambassador Jan Tombinski believes that Ukraine is especially significant for the EU and that by signing the Association Agreement (AA) Ukraine will have a chance to avoid the path of economic stagnation and political autocracy. This was stated in his Stronger together article, as reported by Ukrayinska Pravda. He also noted that Ukraine should not remain in the grey zone of danger between Europe and Russia.

"Ukraine is an important economic partner, a source of energy security, as well as a bridge to Russia," stressed the EU Ambassador to Ukraine referring to the fact that Ukraine provides most of the Russian oil and gas transit to Europe.

Ukraine, according to Tombinski, now has two paths. "The first option offers the development of a more open society, integrated into the European democratic community, market economy and prosperity... The second - is an autocratic system that is stuck in economic stagnation and political instability," noted the EU Ambassador.

The EU representative positively regarded Ukraine's achievements while preparing for the signing of the AA, pointing out, however, at some unmet conditions. "There are many other important tasks - such as judicial reform, electoral law or resolution of the Tymoshenko case - which need to be done," said Tombinski.

The benefits for Ukraine being closer to Europe, according to Tombinski, include access to the European market, free movement of people and capital, the positive effects of competition, as well as the increased productivity, wages, economic growth and new employment opportunities.

"The European Union is much more than just an economic community. It is a union of shared values, and these values ​​underpin long-term relationships that the EU is seeking to establish with Ukraine. Nobody said it would be easy. However, this will surely be in the interests of both parties, Ukraine and the EU. We are neighbors, and I'm sure that at the end of this path we will be stronger together," concluded Ambassador Tombinski.

Interestingly, during the launch of the EU-Ukraine project Stronger together in Kyiv on September 10, 2013, he said that he was "deeply convinced that there will be no crisis between Russia and Ukraine, as the trade conflict is not in the interests of the Russian Federation."