BRUSSELS – Ukraine is carrying out intense and unprecedented reforms across its economy and political system, while its democratic institutions have been further revitalized.
This is the observation of a joint report released on December 13 by the European External Action Service and the European Commission, ahead of the third European Union-Ukraine Association Council on December 19, which examines the state of play of Ukraine’s implementation of the Association Agenda since January 1, 2015.
“Ukraine has taken big steps in the last two years, under very difficult circumstances, not least the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. Today’s report fully recognizes this work done by the Ukrainian authorities. It is now crucial to move from passing legislation and setting up institutions to full implementation of these reforms so that Ukrainian citizens can reap the benefits. Ukraine can count on the European Union’s support moving forward,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini.
“Ukraine’s reform efforts are bringing results,” said Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. “Ukraine has taken important steps to address the key, systemic challenge of corruption both by limiting the scope for corruption in a number of areas and strengthening the means to pursue wrong-doers. This work must continue and bring real change to the way the country operates. Tackling corruption and creating a reliable judicial system are also key to transforming the business climate and rebuilding prosperity. The European Union will continue to support Ukraine in these efforts, both politically and financially.”
The joint report looks at important developments and reforms undertaken in line with the strategic priorities agreed between the EU and Ukraine as part of the Association Agenda. According to the report, Ukraine has implemented a number of reforms to curb corruption and to clean up the banking system, and has embarked on ambitious energy reforms, as well as strengthened democracy and the rule of law. Progress in other areas in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, parts of which have been provisionally applied since November 2014, has also been made, for example regarding the adoption of constitutional amendments to the judiciary, the adoption of an ambitious human rights strategy and action plan, and the undertaking of decentralization reforms.
The report gives an overview of Ukraine’s efforts to improve its electoral framework, its constitutional framework and good governance. It takes note of the significant steps made during the reporting period, in dialogue with its active civil society. It also highlights that in some other areas, such as privatization of state-owned enterprises, as well as the social and health sector, reforms have advanced more slowly. The report also highlights the difficult humanitarian situation and the efforts to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs), for whom the payment of social benefits and/or pensions remains in the process of being resolved. For Ukrainian citizens residing in the non-government controlled areas, this issue has yet to be addressed. Generally, the report highlights a need to proceed with swift and effective implementation of reforms so that their effects can be felt by the population.
In the section on economic development, the report underlines the benefits brought to the EU and Ukraine since the start of the provisional application of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) in January of this year. Ukraine has adopted many legislative acts that have brought its trade-related legal framework closer to that of the European Union, and in doing so has enabled the benefits and opportunities offered by the DCFTA to start reaching the Ukrainian citizens. Ukraine has the potential to attract even more foreign investment if the business and investment climate are improved.
The report also notes that Ukraine successfully met all benchmarks under the Visa Liberalization Action Plan, which led to the European Commission’s proposal to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament in April to lift visa obligations for Ukrainian citizens. In this context, the agreement reached on December 7 between the EU Council and the European Parliament on the suspension mechanism, paves the way for the conclusion of visa liberalization for Ukraine.
Ukraine also provides personnel and equipment to EU civilian and military operations, including a contribution to three EU battle groups with military personnel and one strategic lift aircraft. This contributes to strengthening the EU’s role as a global security provider and increasing the resilience of countries worldwide.
The European Union continues to fully support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and continues to condemn and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation. The European Union also continues to support the diplomatic efforts to find a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine through the complete implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
The European Commission is the executive arm of the European Union and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the EU.