European Parliament Recommends to Offer Ukraine The EU Membership Perspective

KYIV, Ukraine, October 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The European Parliament resolution on the current developments in Ukraine bares a statement on Ukraine's EU membership perspective. Such was the simple majority vote of the European Parliament which took place on Thursday, October 27 in Strasburg.    

In its resolution the European Parliament (EP) viewed further development of the relations between the EU and Ukraine as that of great importance. Moreover, the members of the parliamentary assembly considered offering Ukraine a European perspective to be of "great significance". Such a step would meet the interests of both parties, reads the resolution. Therefore, EP recognizes Kyiv's aspirations towards Article #49 of the Treaty on European Union.

The Parliament, however, mentioned that the potential membership would be taken into consideration only if all criteria, including respect for the principles of democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, were met. The EP urged the European Commission to reschedule the meeting with Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych before the planned EU-Ukraine Summit in December 2011. The EP believes that the visit could provide for an "excellent" ground to tackle main concerns and reestablish the constructive dialogue, which could trigger the initialing of the Association Agreement.

In the meantime, the EP urged Ukrainian officials to ensure domestic political stability, "including a focus on internal reform and respect for the rule of law involving the establishment of fair, impartial and independent legal processes," especially in the light of the recent conviction of the former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

On October 25, Ukraine and the EU held the 20^th round of negotiations on the Association Agreement. This time the negotiations were focused on the political part of the future agreement. Ukrainian negotiation team insisted on mentioning the country's membership perspective in the body of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU.

Earlier, on October 20, 2011, the parties agreed on all the key aspects of the trade related part of the Association Agreement during the course of the negotiations in Brussels. The Agreement on creating deep and comprehensive free trade zone will become a core part of the Association Agreement, negotiated since 2007. Kyiv and Brussels expect to sign the agreement by the end of 2011.