EUROPEAN COMMISSION
[CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY]
Štefan Füle
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
Russian pressure on Eastern Partnership
destabilisation of eastern Ukraine
countries,
Plenary Session, European Parliament
Strasbourg, 16 April 2014
Honourable Members,
It was in mid-December, when we discussed the outcomes of the Vilnius summit and a
massive support for reform, modernisation, and a chance to live by the European values,
shown by Ukrainian citizens in the streets and squares of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
We then concluded that in our Eastern partnership, we respect and defend the rights and
freedoms of each individual, and we must defend the right of every nation to make its
own choices. A couple of months ago, we reiterated that Russia, the neighbour of our
neighbour, can only gain from Ukraine’s success; and it therefore has a chance to
become a part of the joint efforts to bring stability and prosperity back to Ukraine. Yet,
the latest developments in Ukraine show that the notion of Europe whole and free, based
on the shared commitment to human rights and freedoms, democracy, and the rule of
law, as well as freedom and sovereignty of all the European states, their right to choose
their own destiny, and their freedom of association, - is being challenged in an
extremely serious and dangerous way.
The coordinated and professional actions by the armed groups, including those
penetrating into the Ukrainian territory from abroad, in the Eastern Ukraine, resemble
the Crimea scenario. The EU has appealed to the Russian Federation to call back its
troops from the Ukrainian border and to cease any further actions aimed at destabilising
Ukraine. Any threat or use of force, - be it military force or economic coercion, - against
Ukraine or any other countries is not acceptable and must be stopped. It is in our
common interest to avoid violence and bloodshed on the European continent, which
could spiral out of control. It is in our common interest to jointly work towards an
establishment of a common area of prosperity, stability and democracy on the European
continent. Yet, such an area can only be established on the basis of the Helsinki OSCE
principles and in line with international law. Developments of the upcoming days will
demonstrate the choice of Russia. But they might also require unequivocal choices on
our side.
Honourable Members, our response to the crisis in Ukraine-Russia relations as well as
our efforts to bring stability, security and prosperity back to Ukraine are comprehensive:
Firstly, on diplomatic efforts: Quadrilateral talks on Ukraine that are taking place
tomorrow have been the EU's preferred framework and come at our initiative as well.
The EU has been firm in insisting that any solution on Ukraine must be peaceful, must
involve Ukraine, must be based on full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial
integrity, including the right of Ukraine to decide on its own constitution and political
future.
SPEECH/14/331
The High Representative/Vice-President Cathy Ashton has been very closely engaged,
leading these efforts on the EU side. She will meet the Foreign Ministers of the US, the
Russian Federation and Ukraine in Geneva tomorrow in an attempt to de-escalate the
crisis and to engage Russia in a forward looking process. Given the complex situation in
Ukraine it is a considerable success that these international talks take place.
The EU has also strongly supported the establishment of an OSCE Special Monitoring
Mission. It is doing a very valuable work on the ground in the Eastern regions. The EU
has and will continue providing actual substantial assistance to the mission to ensure
that it can carry out its mandate in the best possible way. Furthermore, at the last
Foreign Affairs Council, an important step was also taken towards a possible CSDP
mission.
Secondly, the EU has taken a firm and united stance after the illegal annexation of
Crimea by Russia, including sanctions against individuals responsible for undermining
the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Condemning the actions undertaken by armed
individuals in cities of Eastern Ukraine, the EU has decided to further expand the list of
those subject to assets freeze and visa ban.
These measures can gradually be enlarged to a broad range of economic areas should
Russia continue to destabilise Ukraine.
Thirdly, the EU has not recognised illegal annexation of Crimea, and is working to
establish practical parameters of this non-recognition policy.
Fourthly, the EU is firmly committed to providing strong political and financial backing to
Ukraine. On 21 March we signed the political chapters of the Association Agreement and
we have just adopted a set of unilateral trade measures that will open the European
Union's door to exports from Ukraine. We remain committed to conclude the signature
procedure of the remaining chapters of the Association Agreement as soon as possible
after the May 25 Presidential elections.
At the end of March I was in Kyiv with Commissioner Lewandowski and several
Directors-General of the Commission to agree on a joint plan. We have moved fast on
this, and last week the European Commission created a Support Group which will help
Ukraine to implement this plan a “European agenda for reform”, which lists the
political and economic reforms we agreed with Ukraine based on their needs. Clear
progress has been made already on the financial front: the FAC adopted on Monday the
decision on the EUR 1 billion macro financial assistance programme.
Another issue of critical importance is energy security. The letter by President Putin to
eighteen member states and five partner countries illustrates well just how important
this issue is. The EU will respond jointly to the letter, in order to agree on consultations
with Russia and Ukraine with a view to ensuring security of supply and transit. Allow me
to emphasise: our relations with Russia in the energy are those of mutual
interdependence. The EU is the largest market for the Russian gas and oil. In reaction to
recent developments, the European Commission will, as requested by the European
Council, conduct an in-depth study of EU energy security and will present a
comprehensive plan for the reduction of EU energy dependence.
We are committed to facilitate an agreement between the Slovak and Ukrainian gas
operators on the reverse flow. Moreover, the Ukrainian government is aware of the need
to reform the energy sector, in line with the Energy Community commitments and
displays determination to commence these reforms.
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Honourable Members,
While Ukraine is naturally in the centre of our attention, we are likewise following the
situation very closely in Moldova and Georgia – political developments in both countries
need to be watched carefully as we prepare for the signature and implementation of
AA/DCFTAs, and given the existing external vulnerabilities. We are increasing our
political engagement, including with high level visits of Presidents van Rompuy and
Barroso. The European Commission has also invited the Ukrainian, Moldovan and
Georgian Governments to Brussels in May.
We should note the unprecedented speed with which the procedures of bringing the
AA/DCFTAs with Moldova and Georgia have been completed: the time has been cut by
more than 2/3, enabling us to sign the Agreements already in June. Moreover, visa
liberalisation with Moldova will take effect in only a couple of days, on 28 April – this is a
key achievement bringing clear benefits to the entire population. In parallel, we
encourage Georgia and the Republic of Moldova to continue implementing reforms as
part of their commitment to further strengthen the political association and economic
integration with the EU.
Closing remarks
Honourable Members,
We have never been striving to create new dividing lines in Europe, - quite on the
contrary, our offer to work with our Eastern European partners and Russia, who is our
neighbour, but also a neighbour of our neighbours, towards establishing a common area
of prosperity, stability and democracy on our continent - is standing. We have used
numerous occasions to dispel the ‘zero-sum’ logic and clarify to Russia that the
Association Agreements with the Eastern European partners will not harm Russian
economic interests, - quite on the contrary, the Russian business will gain.
Yet, we are facing at the moment the most serious crisis in Europe since the end of the
World War II. We are witnessing economic coercion, threats and a covert action to
instigate protests and instability, which are meant to dissuade the Ukrainian people from
taking up new opportunities, but also meant to dissuade us from defending their
freedom of choice, to convince us to drop our policies, values and principles, and accept
the logic of the spheres of influence. But this would equal to ignoring the lessons of the
last century in this continent. I do believe that it is time to show an even stronger, more
determined, and resolute commitment to the Eastern Partnership. The people of Ukraine,
its independence and sovereignty should not become victims of geopolitical zero-sum
games. We will always support and stand by those who are subject to undue pressures.
The main principle of the Eastern Partnership is that we engage on the basis of common
values – the respect for and the promotion of human rights and freedoms, democracy,
and the rule of law.
Reflecting on your debate let me mention two issues I am concerned about:
The first one is Russian propaganda: it is more aggressive than at the time of the Cold
War and it is also more dangerous because it is not contained anymore by the Iron
Curtain of the Cold War as there are not contained its effects and implications and we
need more objective information, like the one you have mentioned yourself - the very
recent report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United
Nations underlining that the misinformation, propaganda and incitement to hatred need
to be urgently countered. And we need also to be strong and clear on the basis of our
values and principles and resolute in defending them.
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And talking about the principles brings me to the second point – it has been mentioned
in our debate that the Cold War has not ended with a peace treaty – yes I agree, it has
not – it has ended in a much more appropriate way. It has freed and empowered those
behind the Iron Curtain to make a free choice about their future, it has reunited Europe
in an unprecedented way creating the conditions for peace, stability and prosperity
throughout the whole continent.
Honourable Members our Eastern European partners have had their rocky past, they
deserve a different future, no one should doubt the importance of our Eastern European
partners for our future.
Thank you very much for your attention.
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