Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2018
54. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU continues to foster good relations with Georgia and Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU continues to foster good relations with Ukraine and Georgia. Both countries are active participants in the EU’s Eastern Partnership Initiative which provides a framework for cooperation with the six countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region. The EU has ratified Association Agreements with Georgia and Ukraine which aim to promote political association and economic integration with the Union based on shared values.The fifth Eastern Partnership Summit on 24 November 2017 adopted a roadmap setting out future priorities for the initiative, entitled “Eastern Partnership - 20 Deliverables for 2020". A range of short and long-term milestones including improving connectivity, energy efficiency, support to SMEs, engaging with youth and a broadened outreach to civil society are identified. The EU remains fully committed to assisting Ukraine in delivering its political and economic reform programme and has provided unprecedented levels of support to underpin the Government’s efforts. This support includes loans, budget support, humanitarian aid, technical assistance and trade preferences. In addition, the EU is playing a key role in helping to reform the civilian security sector through its Advisory Mission to Ukraine.
1 September 2017 marked an important milestone in relations with Ukraine when the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement legally entered into force. The fully ratified Agreement will allow the EU to further strengthen political and economic ties with Ukraine. The provisional application of the Agreement since 2016 has seen a welcome increase in two way trade. This trend continued in the first eight months of 2017, with an increase of about 27% percent compared with the same period the previous year.
The EU-Ukraine Association Council held its fourth meeting on 8 December 2017. The EU welcomed progress in the implementation of Ukraine’s ambitious reform programme, while underlining the need to step up reform efforts. The Council reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to political association and economic integration based on common values of democracy, rule of law and human rights.
As regards the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the EU continues to fully support ongoing efforts to secure implementation of the Minsk peace agreements within the framework of the OSCE Trilateral Contact Group (OSCE, Russia and Ukraine) and the Normandy Format (France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine). The Minsk accords offer the only basis for a political resolution to the conflict and the European Union will continue to push for their full implementation.
As with Ukraine, the EU remains committed to its political association and economic integration with Georgia and the successful implementation of the Association Agreement, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The EU has praised Georgia's reform efforts while underlining the need to ensure sustainability of the changes which have already taken place. The revised EU-Georgia Association Agenda provides a practical framework and guidance for the implementation of priorities for joint work until 2020, based on the Association Agreement. Justice sector reform is one of the key priorities. The EU also fully supports Georgia's territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The appointment in November 2017 of a new EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, as well as the EU Monitoring Mission are visible and substantial signs of the EU's commitment to helping Georgia address its security challenges.
