EU-Commissioner Hahn in Kiev to urge reforms

Brussels, (26 November) - Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn will pay a visit to Kyiv on 27-28 November 2014. He will meet with President Poroshenko, Prime Minister Yatseniuk, leaders of the main political groups in the Parliament, business representatives, Ukrainian civil society and international donors.

"I come to Ukraine at a crucial moment: a new and decisively pro-reform Parliament will soon vote into office a new government, exactly a year after the start of Maidan. My main message to all interlocutors is that swift and concrete implementation of the reform agenda is now urgent, to make Ukraine a stable, prosperous and well–governed modern state."

Commissioner Hahn's visit also comes as the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is violated daily. Referring to this situation, he said: "My visit is a sign of the EU's determination to stand by Ukraine, and to support its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU is making unprecedented levels of assistance available to Ukraine, and I will be signing a further financing agreement during my visit. But Ukraine must also shoulder its own responsibilities, and I am looking forward to discussing with leaders the way forward".

Background

The EU is committed to support the reform process in Ukraine aiming ultimately at strengthening Ukraine's political and economic integration with the EU, as foreseen in the Association Agreement including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). After signing the political chapters of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement on 21 March 2014, both parties signed the remaining sections of the Agreement - including the DCFTA - on 27 June 2014. Ukraine ratified the Agreement on 16 September, while in parallel the European Parliament gave its consent. Relevant parts are being provisionally applied since 1 November 2014, whereas the DCFTA will provisionally apply as of 1 January 2016.

See http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2012/140912_ukraine_en.htm

On 5 March 2014 the European Commission agreed on a financial assistance package for Ukraine of at least EUR 11 bn in loans and grants from the EU budget and EU-based international financial institutions, to:

• help stabilise Ukraine's economic & financial situation
• support transition
• encourage political & economic reforms
• support inclusive development.

See http://europa.eu/newsroom/files/pdf/ukraine_en.pdf

On 12 November, the European Commission, on behalf of the EU, disbursed €260 million to Ukraine as part of the EU Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) for the country. This loan disbursement adds to the €600 million disbursed earlier this year under the two ongoing EU MFA programmes. Following this disbursement, €750 million remain available under the two MFA current programmes for Ukraine.

See http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-1640_en.htm

For more information:

Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570;

Anca Paduraru – Tel.: +32 229 66430)