EU-Ukraine summit – Statements made by M. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the Republic, during his joint press conference with Mr Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, and Mr José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission (excerpts)
Paris, 9 September 2008
THE PRESIDENT – (…) The future agreement between the European Union and Ukraine will be an association agreement, which is a very important point and reflects what Ukraine wanted.
Secondly, we’re saying formally that Ukraine is a European country which shares, with the European Union countries, a common history and values. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first time the European Union has taken such a clear position on Ukraine’s European orientation. And let me say that I’m especially pleased about this because I’ve always thought of Ukraine as a European country.
Finally, as regards visas, an important subject for Ukrainian citizens, we’re saying that the European Union is ready to open rapidly – i.e. without waiting for the conclusion of negotiations on the agreement – a dialogue with Ukraine on the conditions which will allow us eventually to establish a non-visa regime. It’s an ambitious goal which will take some time to achieve and for which we are determined to work together.
(…)
Q. – You talked about Ukraine’s European orientation. I’d like to know if this European orientation goes as far as considering Ukrainian accession to the European Union in the short, medium or long term. Can you tell us what you yourself think?
THE PRESIDENT – Thank you for allowing me reply totally freely. I’m not talking as the French President, I’m not talking in my own name, I’m talking on behalf of the EU and so I’m saying what the EU’s position is. The EU’s position: to negotiate an association agreement, making it clear that this association agreement closes no avenue, and even opens some up. (…) The EU wanted, as President Barroso said, at this specific moment in the region’s situation, to reaffirm the community of values, community of history, Europeanness in the cultural sense of the word with Ukraine. The EU hasn’t authorized me to take other decisions or make other announcements. But the words mean something; it’s the first time such vocabulary has been used. That said, within the Council, there are different positions and President Barroso’s concern, like mine, is Europe’s unity, it’s in fact what we explained to our friend, the Ukrainian President, that it was as far as we could go. But I believe it’s already a substantial step.
(…)
Q. – You were saying that you’d just come back from Moscow and Tbilisi. What’s your assessment of Ukraine’s specific situation? Do you think one should have fears about what the separatists want to do, about the way Moscow is said to be looking at Ukraine? (…)
THE PRESIDENT – (…) I think I can say that the ambition for an Eastern partnership is on the part of Europe – as a political power – a desire to bring stability and security to the region. It’s a strong political objective, which isn’t directed against anyone but makes Europeans think that their prosperity and their security also depend on prosperity and stability and security in those regions. I repeat: we, Europe, want calmer relations with Russia. We want to understand each other through dialogue, through diplomacy and politics, but certainly not militarily, certainly not.
You asked me a question on Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This is, in Europe’s eyes, absolutely non negotiable. (…)
As you see: Eastern partnership on one side, exceptional relations and association agreement with Ukraine, active mediation – that’s how we can put it – on the part of the European Union, a political force in the region and the desire, if all goes well, to resume, from 10 October, discussions on the strategic partnership with Russia.
That’s the European Union’s strategy. (…)./.