Polish Ambassador to Ukraine Jan Pieklo has said that the failure of the European Union to complete the process of ratification of the Association Agreement with Ukraine will be a signal to all the countries of the Eastern Partnership (Georgia, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia) that the EU is not credible.
“It would be a very bad sign for all the countries of the Eastern Partnership if the European Union is not able to complete the process of ratification of the Association Agreement. That would be a signal that the EU is not credible. I think that a solution on deal with this Dutch referendum will be found,” Pieklo said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
According to the ambassador, the current situation may provide additional motivation for the EU to abolish visas for Ukraine. “The situation with the Netherlands can help in the abolition of visas to some extent,” Pieklo said.
The diplomat also said that the EU has no choice but to accept the decision on visa liberalization for Ukrainians.
“If this visa regime is maintained in the future, it will lead to frustration in the Ukrainian society. On the EU’s part it will look like a step back … I think this [the abolition of visas] will be done, because there is no other choice,” the ambassador said.
