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EU hopes Ukraine will continue to conduct vital reforms
Mar 16, 2011 at 10:38 | Interfax-Ukraine"We must continue to insist on the progress in major reforms in Ukraine, in particular, judicial, electoral, and constitutional reform. The fight against corruption is equally necessary," Managing Director for Russia, Eastern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans at the EU's European External Action Service Miroslav Lajcak said in Brussels on Tuesday.
He said that "the successful implementation of these reforms is critical for achieving political association, which we want to achieve in our new agreement built on common values."
Lajcak noted that a free trade area was only part of "a broader agreement," which includes human rights, democracy and fundamental freedoms.
He also said that a positive and strong signal for Ukraine's partners would be the successful completion of the ratification and implementation of a number of foreign policy instruments.
Lajcak also highlighted the importance of conducting constitutional reform.
"We hope for the progress in this matter," he said.
While speaking about constitutional reform, he noted that the EU hoped that all opposition parties would be involved in this process and that the best experts would be engaged.
"These and other important reforms were put on our agenda that was drafted with a view to the further implementation of agreements on association and a free trade area," Lajcak said.
He said that Brussels welcomed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's commitments to draft an electoral code through an open and comprehensive process.
"The proper legal framework is important for future elections in Ukraine," Lajcak said.
He also paid attention to the issue of modernizing economic management.
"We attach significant importance to the business climate and investment issues in Ukraine. It's no secret that we get messages about problems in the protection of intellectual property rights and problems with customs. We will continue to pay our attention to these issues in the near future," Lajcak said, adding that Brussels welcomed commitments by the Ukrainian leadership to pursue reforms in these areas.