Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013
69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made in relation to the proposed trade agreement between the European Union and Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54992/13]
View answerIt is assumed the Deputy is referring to the Association Agreement which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between the EU and Ukraine and which was initialled in March 2012 after lengthy negotiations. While important progress was made, Ukraine announced shortly before the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius last month that it was suspending the preparations to sign the Agreement. The decision has been met with protest demonstrations in Kiev and elsewhere. While the process is now on hold, I would emphasise that the European Union’s comprehensive and generous offer remains on the table. We do not believe that what has already been agreed should be renegotiated at this late stage.
We had an extensive discussion on the situation in Ukraine at the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 December and agreed on the urgent need for meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders to find a negotiated solution to the current political stalemate following the demonstrations. High Representative Ashton reported to the Council on her visit to Kiev last week where she held talks with President Yanukovych and other government representatives, the opposition and civil society. She delivered the EU’s main message, namely the urgent need for dialogue and respect of the right to peaceful protest.
After our meeting, High Representative Ashton reiterated the EU’s readiness to sign the Association Agreement as soon as Ukraine is ready and the relevant conditions set by the Council last December have been met. I fully agree with her that the Association Agreement offers the best way to address Ukraine’s political and economic challenges and that it provides a blueprint for the requisite reforms. This package was the most ambitious offer made to any partner by the EU. It was also one very much in the interests of Ukraine and its people in terms of the long term benefits it would bring. Of course, ultimately it is a matter for Ukraine to decide freely what kind of engagement it wishes to have with the EU and it should be allowed to make its choice freely and without external pressure.
In the meantime, I have urged the Ukrainian government to fully abide by its international commitments to respect the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. In the current very tense and fluid situation, it is incumbent on all sides to show the utmost restraint and I would stress the importance of dialogue to help reduce the tension and to try to find an agreed way forward.
