Interfax-Ukraine
June 27, 2014
EU leaders: Association with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia not final stage of cooperation
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso have said that the June 27 signing by the EU of Association Agreements with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine is not the final stage of cooperation.
An Interfax-Ukraine reporter said that they stated this in Brussels on Friday, when speaking during the signing ceremony.
“These agreements are not the final stage of our cooperation… Your three countries will continue pursuing efforts to transform your societies, deepening democracy and modernizing the economy,” Van Rompuy said.
“Signing these Association Agreements with Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas should not be seen as the end of the road, but as the beginning of a journey on which the European Union and these three partner countries are embarking together today,” Barroso said.
Van Rompuy said that stronger political and economic ties would bring greater stability and prosperity to the entire European continent. At the same time, he noted that such cooperation could only be based on common values, particularly democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
Speaking about the situation in the sphere of security and defense, he said that the EU stands by the side of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, having difficulties in relations with Russia.
“You have our support and solidarity, and our recognition of your territorial integrity,” Van Rompuy, adding that the EU is ready to engage with Moscow to dispel all possible misunderstandings.
Barroso, in turn, noted that the agreements signed allowed the three countries to implement reforms and move towards transformation into prosperous democracies.
“The task ahead is substantial. The Association Agreements’ main objective is to help to deliver on the partner countries’ own reforms, own ambitions. To succeed will require strong political will,” Barroso said.
At the same time, he said that all three countries needed to focus on judicial reform, improving efficiency and transparency and fighting corruption in order to make the reform process successful and irreversible.
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