The EU-Ukraine Association Agenda is a very ambitious reform project, but it sets guidelines for the most important changes to take place in the country.
MEP Andrej Plenkovic said this in an interview with an Ukrinform correspondent.
Mr Plenkovic, what is the role of the European Parliament and Parliamentary Association Committee in implementation of reforms in Ukraine and implementation of the Association Agreement in the context of Russian aggression and difficult economic situation in the country? What decisions, projects, visits are planned to deepen the cooperation?
EU-Ukraine relations are high priority on the agenda of the European Parliament. The EP Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee is very active, as well as the Committee on Foreign Affairs, other committees of the Parliament, EP´s rapporteur and many Members who, formally or informally, bring their support to Ukraine.
Delegation and PAC
Since the start of the new legislative term, the EP Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee held 13 official meetings to exchange views on the most important issues in EU-Ukraine relations: political situation in the country, implementation of reforms, situation of human rights in the East of Ukraine and in Crimea, humanitarian situation caused by the military conflict, implementation of Minsk agreement, outcomes of the Eastern Partnership Summit and the overall situation with the implementation of the Association Agreement.
The Parliamentary Association Committee (PAC) is the parliamentary joint body foreseen by the Association Agreement and goes in its mandate and ambitions far beyond previously existing inter-parliamentary forums. It exerts parliamentary control over the implementation of the Association Agreement and acts as an open forum for debate to discuss all aspects of relations between the EU and Ukraine and issues of mutual interest. It is a common platform for Members of the Verkhovna Rada and Members of the European Parliament to work together on EU-related reforms.
The first meeting of PAC took place in February 2015 in Brussels where we outlined the key priority areas of our common work with Ukrainian counterparts. At the beginning of November we will reunite in Kyiv and will concentrate on those reform areas that can most benefit from our inter-parliamentary dialogue.
In addition to the work of PAC, other committees of the European Parliament also work actively with Ukraine. Just from the beginning of this year, delegations from the committees on foreign affairs, international trade, legal affairs, budget, and sub-committees on human rights and security and defence went on missions to Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine in order to observe the situation in the country and draw recommendations.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Another important point is that Ukraine was identified as a priority country for the EP ´s democracy support programme and a special and unique in its kind Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the EP and Verkovna Rada was signed by President Shultz and Speaker Groysman on 3 July 2015 in Kyiv. MoU foresees the development of a capacity building programme for the Verkhovna Rada in order to provide assistance to the Ukrainian parliament in its modernisation efforts. This is a very ambitious project, but it can bring necessary positive changes to the country and set an example for other institutions. I was appointed as the responsible Member for this programme.
In order for this programme to precisely target the reform needs of the Ukrainian Parliament, both sides decided to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Verkhovna Rada’s practices. A Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) is being conducted by former President of the European Parliament and well-known friend of Ukraine Pat Cox. At the end of the mission a special report will identify a roadmap on internal reform and capacity-building for the Verkhovna Rada. Local experts, experts of the European Commission other international donors working with the Verkhovna Rada are also involved.
Hearings on human rights in Ukraine
The matter of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is very important for the Members of the European Parliament. On numerous occasions we have been exchanging views with representatives of Crimean Tatars, religious leaders of Ukraine and representatives of other minorities living in Ukraine. What is going on in the illegally annexed Crimea and in occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk is unacceptable. Cases of breaches of human rights have to be investigated and people who committed them - brought to justice. For this reason, we will soon launch special hearings on the situation with human rights in Ukraine.
How do you see the process with reforms in Ukraine in the context of critical comments by some MEPs on a need to provide concrete results of such reforms already today?
After changes brought by EuroMaidan and subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections last year in which Ukrainian people chose European direction and opted for peace, I very much welcome the high level of will and determination expressed to reform Ukraine by President Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yatseniuk and his Government.
The view of the EP - and in particular my EPP political family - is very strong about keeping together pro-European coalition in Verkhovna Rada. We hope that differences demonstrated during the vote on the first reading on constitutional changes a month ago regarding decentralisation will be overcome after regional and local elections. Political stability is essential for the country. Ukraine that faces aggression with almost 8000 killed, whose sacrifice I honor and respect, 1.4 million internally displaced persons and more than a million refugees. Plus several millions directly affected by war as well as high costs of defending the country and strained public finances.
It is in such a challenging security and economic environment that reform process takes place, which makes it difficult to deliver fast changes. But these transformative reforms are important steps for Ukrain´s Europeanisation and this time failure is not an option. The old approaches to "doing things" must go away and the process of deoligarchisation is crucial for Ukrainian society. Real efforts to eliminate corruption at political and administrative levels and reform of justice system are top priorities for Ukraine at the moment.
The EU-Ukraine Association Agenda is a very ambitious reform project, but it sets guidelines for the most important changes to take place in the country. We are aware of the immense number of legislation to be harmonised and adopted in line with EU aquis communautaire and limited human and financial resources available for this job.
Ukraine is not alone in this struggle. The EU and its Member States prove their commitment to Ukraine in a concrete financial assistance and expertise. Thus, financial support to Ukraine is the largest ever given to the third country. The EU is assisting Ukraine with vital reforms which will help to put the process on the rights track: fight against corruption, justice and law enforcement, public services reform and energy to name just a few. The EU is mediating very tough negotiations with Russia in energy and trade relations.
Moreover, EU has established special Advisory Mission - EUAM - based in Ukraine to provide best expertise in civil sector reforms. I believe that the EUAM needs to be more than an advisory mission and to be more engaged in assisting the process of peaceful reintegration of occupied territories, which I emphasized with the amendments of the EU budget for the 2016.
What is your assessment of the implementation of Minsk agreement taking into account that the deadline for the implementation is expiring by the end of the year?
Our position remains firm on the importance of the implementation of the Minsk Agreement for the peaceful reintegration of temporarily occupied territories of Eastern Ukraine and illegally annexed Crimea. We clearly see that Ukrainian side is doing everything to fulfil the Agreement and the most recent amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine on decentralisation can be one of the examples of it.
Another example is the conduct of local elections scheduled on October 25. The EP received an official invitation to observe the local elections in Ukraine. Although in principle, the European Parliament is only observing elections held at the national level, the importance of Ukraine is such that we were granted a right to observe the local elections as well.
On September 30 a constitutive meeting for the elections observation mission took place to choose a head of the mission (MEP Andrej Plenković), discuss agenda and deployment options. We will use the time before the mission to study the new legislation on local elections and to observe the preparation process going on in the country. We also hope that the situation with the right of vote for IDPs could be resolved so that these people can excise their right for vote.
What is the future of economic sanctions, introduced by the EU against Russia and which are expiring at the end of January 2016?
Negotiations within the Minsk process are on-going and there is still time before the end of the year to make things possible. One thing is clear already today that the EU will keep restrictive measures against Russia as long as the full implementation of Minsk agreement is ensured. The influence on Moscow is essential in order for the territorial integrity of Ukraine to be restored in accordance with the laws of Ukraine and international legal framework.
How the experience of Croatia can help in reintegration of temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and Crimea?
Donbas and Crimea should not become frozen conflicts against the usual model upon which Russia works regarding its neighbouring countries, consequently obstructing their European path. It can be prevented with the future Europeanization, strengthening of the rule of law, institutions-building in Ukraine, as well as consolidation of armed forces. Above all, there should be internationally assisted efforts for a peaceful reintegration of the temporary occupied territories. This entails post-conflict establishment of trust, gradual reconciliation, decentralization (but not the federalization), amnesty (except for the war crimes) and convalidation of documents. Furthermore, peaceful reintegration will require measures of social inclusion, care and return of IDPs and refugees to their homes, along with reconstruction and economic revitalization – those are the important tasks for the future of Ukraine.
It is vital to continue putting pressure on Moscow so that the restrictive measures remain in force, until Russia influences the so-called "DNR" and "LNR" so that they accept reintegration. Also, the diplomatic efforts of the Normandy format which is led by the Germany and France in the name of the EU, needs to be strongly supported by the United States, and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should control the border between the Ukraine and Russia.
I would like to highlight the model of the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube region in the constitutional order of Croatia in January 1998 (after 7 years of occupation) through the UN peace-keeping operation UNTAES - as the most useful example for Ukrainian situation today. I believe that it is necessary to nominate a strong personality of high and credible international profile, who would be also respected by Moscow, to have a clear mandate and authority in the question of reintegration. Essentially, I think we need "Mr/Ms Reintegration" - to accomplish peaceful reintegration of the temporary occupied territories of Ukraine and illegally annexed Crimea.