You're reading: Teixeira: Ukraine’s EU integration suspended

Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira has said he believes that the EU-Ukraine association agreement is unlikely to be signed in the current situation.

“I think that in the current circumstances it will be very difficult
to sign the association agreement. I would like to remind you that the
signing of this agreement requires the consent of all EU countries. But
many EU countries now don’t want to sign this document in view of the
current situation in Ukraine,” the diplomat said in an exclusive
interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Teixeira noted that the EU expected and expects Ukraine to resolve
the situation with politically motivated criminal cases, hold fair
elections, and introduce reforms.

“The EU should see that Ukraine is really conducting the necessary
reforms. However, now we see no progress in the fulfillment of these
conditions. The issues that are of concern to the EU, particularly the
electoral law and the non-participation of opposition leaders in the
elections, remain relevant, but the decision on this matter will be
taken at a meeting of the EU Council of Ministers,” the ambassador said.

“I cannot predict what this decision will be, but under the current
conditions the association agreement is unlikely to be signed,” he
added.

As for Kyiv’s hopes to sign the document with the EU after the
elections before the end of this year, the diplomat said that everything
would depend on the fulfillment of the abovementioned conditions.

“If these conditions are met, then there will be a chance of signing
the agreement. It’s hard to expect that the agreement will be signed if
the situation does not change in the country,” he said.

The ambassador also said that he was leaving Ukraine with a feeling of disappointment.

“When I came to Ukraine four years ago, I thought that this country
was actively traveling the path of European integration, and I was full
of enthusiasm to make my contribution and support your country on this
path. However, the process of Ukraine’s European integration has in fact
been suspended. So I have a feeling of disappointment and regret,” he
said.