A high-level meeting involving Ukraine, the European Union and the Customs Union will be held in Minsk on Aug. 26, according to the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's press office.
“The President of the European Commission has backed the Ukrainian president’s initiative to invite the EU to attend the high-level meeting. On Aug. 26 Minsk will be hosting the meeting between Ukraine, the EU and the Eurasian Troika (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia) to discuss the implementation of the EU-Ukraine association agreement, energy security and the stabilization of the situation in the Donbas region,” according to a statement posted on the Ukrainian president’s Web site.
In their telephone conversation Poroshenko thanked (EC President) Jose Manuel Barroso for his willingness to send three EC members simultaneously: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, EC Vice President and EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger and Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht.
“Such an unprecedented step proves the EU’s solidarity and support for Ukraine,” said the head of state.
The pair also discussed the third wave of EU macrofinancial aid for Ukraine.
Poroshenko also informed Barroso about the latest developments in Donbas, in particular, the shelling of an organized convoy of civilians, which was leaving Luhansk under a white flag, by the terrorists, as well as said about provocations of Russian Federation, which are meant for worsening of the situation in the eastern part of Ukraine.
“The EC president condemned this heinous crime by terrorists and called for an immediate inquiry into the tragedy. He underlined the need to protect civilian lives. The Ukrainian President vowed to investigate this crime and hold those responsible to account,” Poroshenko’s press office said.
Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dmitry Mironchik confirmed the meeting will take place in Minsk on Aug. 26.
