Verklaring eurocommissaris Füle na ontmoeting secretaris Oekraïnse nationale Veiligheid- en Defensieraad (en)

Statement by Commissioner Štefan Füle following his meeting with Andriy Klyuyev, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, met today with Andriy Klyuyev, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, appointed by the President of Ukraine to ensure coordination of activities of the central executive authorities in the field of European integration of Ukraine and interaction with EU institutions.

The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the actions taken by Ukraine to follow up on the commitments discussed at the 25 February European Union-Ukraine Summit as reflected in the joint statement. ''The set of documents adopted by Ukraine to ensure the follow up of the EU’s policy of engagement reflect its determination to achieve the objective of signing the Association Agreement and its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area by the time of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius'', Commissioner Füle said. He also added that: ''Our on-going screening of Ukraine’s envisaged actions shows that some outstanding issues require additional attention.''

The meeting was an occasion for an in-depth look into several matters related to the three areas identified in the conclusions of the 10 December 2012 Foreign Affairs Council, and the preparations needed to ensure a successful Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius. The state of play in the implementation of the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation was also addressed.

Discussing the political situation in the country, Commissioner Füle recalled his strong belief that Ukraine needs a majority that creates an environment that is conducive for dialogue as strongly as it needs a constructive opposition that can fully assume its responsibility towards the Ukrainian people. He welcomed the fact that the European agenda was becoming a consolidating factor in Ukrainian domestic politics.