High Representative Mogherini underlines EU’s commitment to close partnership with Ukraine

High Representative Federica Mogherini i today met Ukrainian Prime Minister, Volodymyr Groysman, taking the opportunity to reconfirm the European Union's unwavering commitment to a strong, deep and broad partnership with Ukraine.

One-hundred days after his appointment, the Prime Minister presented the state of play of his government's reform agenda and its implementation. Welcoming the achievements, Mogherini praised the fact that the fight against corruption remains at the heart of the reform process.

The EU will continue to support the Ukrainian authorities’ reform agenda, including financially - adding to the €7 billion in grants and loans since 2014, technically - through expertise, and with personnel, also through the continued deployment of the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform. Mogherini underlined that such an ambitious reform agenda demonstrates a much-needed commitment to the Ukrainian people: to raise their standard of living and to provide for a more equal, fair and open society.

The High Representative and the Prime Minister also discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements, particularly in light of an upsurge in violence in the east of Ukraine over the last two days, in which several Ukrainians lost their lives.

The EU continues to support full implementation of the Minsk agreements as well as Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It recently prolonged its sanctions on Russia and has a strong and continued commitment to practical measures in support of the peace process, notably through ongoing assistance to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

Mogherini congratulated the Prime Minister for Ukraine having fulfilled all the benchmarks necessary for short-stay, visa-free travel to the Schengen area for Ukrainian citizens. This has been recognised by the European Commission in its proposal to lift visa requirements, and should result in a positive outcome in the Council and the European Parliament in the autumn.

She also reassured the Prime Minister that the ratification and full entry into force of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement remains a top priority.