November 27, 2013

 

The European Movement International is concerned by the sudden refusal of Ukraine to sign an Association Agreement with the EU, especially with the third Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius set to take place 28-29 November.

The EMI believes negotiations with the Eastern Partnership countries on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements are essential for reform and modernisation, bringing long-term benefits for these countries.

This change of direction follows a similar reversal in Armenia only weeks ago, and parliamentary opposition in both countries have strongly criticized these actions. Ukraine has recently come in for further criticism over its treatment of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, whose release was made a key condition for continuing with the talks by the EU, and many believe the country is bowing to pressure from Russia.

The European Movement International will continue to work with civil society actors in the Eastern Partnership countries to ensure further European integration, and will therefore welcome the conclusion of negotiations on these agreements with Moldova and Georgia at the Vilnius Summit at the end of this week. 

“The pro-EU protests taking place in Kiev, the biggest street demonstrations since the 2004 Orange Revolution, indicate that citizens are well aware of the benefits that closer association with the EU would bring. We hope that the government of Viktor Yanukovich will heed these concerns, and turn back onto the European track.”

 

 

[ENDS]

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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions. 

EMI Media Contact: For more information, please contact Marine Vallet at +32 (0)2 508 30 88 or marine.vallet@europeanmovement.eu