Ukraine’s European Endeavour

Ukraine seems willing to address the mistake it made in November in Vilnius

Valentin Țigău, 13.12.2013, 14:25

During the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius last month, Ukraine failed to initial the EU accession agreement, which triggered an unprecedented pro-European protest in the streets of Kiev. Under this pressure, Ukrainian authorities seem willing to reconsider their decision. On Thursday in Brussels the European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule and the Ukrainian deputy PM, Sergey Arbuzov agreed on a “road map” for implementing the Ukraine — EU Association Agreement, based on Kiev’s firm commitment to the signature of this document.

This takes place against the backdrop of pro-European protests in the capital Kiev, which deepen the domestic political crisis. The European Parliament called on EU leaders to set up a mediation team to facilitate dialogue between the power and opposition in Ukraine. A diplomatic mission travelled to Kiev, where president Viktor Yanukovich told the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton that he intends to sign the association agreement. Kiev argues that the country will need massive financial support if it is to turn its back on Moscow, and the EU offered support in closing a loan deal with the IMF.

In Bucharest, the Romanian foreign minister Titus Corlatean expressed his belief that medium and long-term political, economic and cultural developments in Ukraine are tied to the EU. As for the pro-European rallies in Kiev, which have spiralled into street violence, the Romanian foreign minister said reason should prevail over force, and the solution to the crisis is a political dialogue between power and the citizens.