Brussels, Nov. 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukraine and the European Union have signed a document that allows Kyiv to participate in EU programs.
The document, entitled "A Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the general principles for the participation of Ukraine in Union programs," was signed at the EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels on Monday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule signed the document.
The protocol says that Kyiv and Brussels agreed that "Ukraine shall be allowed to participate in all current and future programs of the union opened to the participation of Ukraine in accordance with the relevant provisions adopting these programs."
According to the document, Kyiv will have to contribute financially to the general budget of the European Union "corresponding to the specific programs in which Ukraine participates."
The document envisages that "Ukraine’s representatives shall be allowed to take part, as observers and for the points which concern Ukraine, in the management committees responsible for monitoring the programs to which Ukraine contributes financially."
"Projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Ukraine shall, as far as possible, be subject to the same conditions, rules and procedures pertaining to the programs concerned as applied to Member States," reads the document.
The protocol says that the specific terms and conditions regarding Ukraine’s participation in each particular program, in particular, "the financial contribution payable and reporting and evaluation procedures, shall be determined by agreement between the [European] Commission, acting on behalf of the [European] Union, and the competent authorities of Ukraine (Memorandum of Understanding)."
The parties agreed that each memorandum of understanding of this kind would stipulate that "financial control or audits or other verifications, including administrative investigations will be carried out by, or under the authority of, the European Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office and the Court of Auditors."
