The European Union-Ukraine summit, the first EU summit to take place in Brussels since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, was held on Oct. 6.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky together with top European officials discussed crucial issues for the country – free trade agreement with the EU and progress on the association agreement, common efforts in fighting COVID-19, visa-free regime, as well as foreign and security policy.
The outcome turned out to be seemingly positive for Ukraine, especially surprising amid concerns recently raised by several European MPs about the country’s leadership’s alleged sabotage of anti-corruption institutions and insufficient improvements in the judicial system.
“We have agreed on all key issues,” Zelensky claimed at the press conference that followed the meeting.
Ukraine’s delegation signed six agreements during the summit – a €30 million agreement on increasing Ukraine’s resilience during hybrid destabilizing situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, a €20 million deal on strengthening democracy, and a €10 million agreement on the transition to a clean economy.
The other three agreements were signed between Ukraine and the European Investment Bank (EIB) on infrastructure projects with a total worth of €330 million.
Charles Michel, president of the European Council, highlighted how relationships with Ukraine are important for the EU.
Since Ukraine became the first country with which the summit was not held online during the pandemic, Michel called the meeting as an “important symbol, which shows steadfast commitments to deepening relationships with Ukraine.”
“The EU is and will remain Ukraine’s biggest and most reliable partner,” said Michel.
After all discussions with EU officials, which Zelensky described as “sincere and very warm,” Zelenskt said that he is sure that the future plans on cooperation will be “unprecedented.”
Common challenges
As the coronavirus pandemic severely hit economies of many countries, the EU financial and medical support for Ukraine became one of the most demanded.
The EU already mobilized a €190 million support package in addition to €1.2 billion in macro-financial assistance for Ukraine representing “the biggest support of the eastern neighbor of the EU,” according to Michel.
“We need to fight COVID-19 together as one global community,” he said.
Zelensky also said that he hopes that Ukraine will be a part of the future cooperation with the EU regarding the availability of the coronavirus vaccine.
He also said that nothing endangers the visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU and as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic ends, “Ukrainians will be able to travel to Europe again.”
During the summit, Zelensky announced his intention to move towards an agreement on “industrial visa-free travel,” which means that Ukrainian companies will be able to supply their products to the EU countries on a simplified procedure.
“The EU expert mission has already started this work to assess Ukraine’s readiness to this,” he said.
Zelensky also added that he was assured by the EU colleagues that at the beginning of the next year the country will sign the Common Aviation Area agreement, which will have a positive impact on the industry badly hit by the COVID-19. Previously Ukrainian media reported that the Ukrainian side hoped to sign the agreement at this summit.
According to Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii, who was among the officials present in Brussels, it will increase the number of flights and passenger traffic to Europe with a positive impact on the tourism industry and business relations.
War with Russia
The EU stays on its position regarding the war on Donbas and illegal annexation of Crimea and will continue to support Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the president of the European Council Michel.
“We condemn illegal annexation by Russia of the Crimean peninsula,” he said adding that the EU supports the implementation of the Minsk agreement and keeps non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.
On Oct. 1, the EU prolonged its sanctions in support of this policy expanding them with sanctions for the construction of the Kerch Bridge in Crimea connecting Russia with the peninsula.
In Michel’s view, Zelensky “worked hard to resolve the conflict” with Russia and “find a peaceful solution” during the Normandy Format talks between representatives of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany.
“We call on Russia to do its part of the bargain,” he said.
Zelensky said that the EU support is extremely important for Ukraine and “recent decision on Kerch Bridge proves it.”
Supporting reforms
Since 2014, when Russia started its war in the eastern Ukrainian Donbas region and annexed the Crimean peninsula, the EU has allocated €15 billion in loans to assist reforms in Ukraine, according to Michel.
And the European Union will further support Ukraine’s development, according to Josep Borrell, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
“We will continue our support because your progress will be our progress, your security will be our security,” said Borrell. “We share borders, we share history, culture, interests and values.”
The EU officials also said they recognize Ukraine’s progress in reforming the country for the past year since the country has elected Zelensky and a new parliament, where his party Servant of the People has a majority of seats.
The progress, they say, was noticeable in several spheres: land market, banking, creating the high anti-corruption court, and development of decentralization.
While Zelensky expected that land reform would be the hardest issue, fighting corruption turned to be even more complicated.
“We have not completely liquidated corruption, but we’ve made progress,” he said.
