PROPOSAL FOR A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL
22.12.2006
by Michał Tomasz Kamiński
on behalf of the UEN Group
on the negotiating mandate for a new enhanced agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part
B6‑0022/2007
European Parliament recommendation to the Council on the negotiating mandate for a new enhanced agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine, particularly that of 13 January 2005 on the results of the presidential elections and that of 6 April 2006 on the parliamentary elections,
– having regard to the Commission announcement of 13 September 2006 that it has proposed negotiating directives for an enhanced agreement with Ukraine, now pending the approval of the Council,
– having regard to the Joint Statement of the European Union-Ukraine Summit held on 27 October 2006 in Helsinki,
– having regard to the Commission Communication of 12 May 2004 on the European Neighbourhood Policy (COM(2004)0373) and that of 4 December 2006 on strengthening the European Neighbourhood Policy (COM(2006)0726),
– having regard to the EU-Ukraine ENP Action Plan, of February 2005,
– having regard to Article 49 of the EU Treaty,
– having regard to Rule 114(1) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Ukraine has strong historical, cultural and economic links with the EU Member States and whereas it is the Union's key partner in its immediate Eastern European neighbourhood,
B. whereas the country's efforts to put the principles of European integration into practice should be appreciated; whereas the cooperation with the European Union resulting from the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement has been one of the key factors in bringing Ukraine to establish accession to the European Union as the main objective of its foreign and domestic policy,
C. whereas Ukraine is currently in a transition period that is decisive for the long-term stabilisation of the country, for safeguarding of democracy, pluralism and the rule of law and for anchoring Ukraine in the European democratic community,
D. whereas the new enhanced agreement should establish relations between the European Union and Ukraine on a new basis, responding to the need to encourage Ukraine to realise further political, economic and social reforms, and to reinforce cooperation between both partners,
1. Calls on the Council to take account of the following recommendations when adopting the negotiating mandate:
- (a)to take into consideration the fact that Parliament called on the Council to consider giving Ukraine a clear European perspective; the new enhanced agreement should, in this context, create an appropriate and effective framework for the gradual integration of Ukraine with the EU and open the way to its membership of the EU;
- (b)to ensure that one of the principal objectives of the enhanced agreement is to base the relationship between the European Union and Ukraine on shared respect for fundamental European values;
- (c)to ensure that the Free Trade Area, to become part of the enhanced agreement following Ukraine's accession to the WTO, is accompanied by efforts to align Ukraine, as close as possible, with the acquis communautaire;
- (d)to pay due attention to Ukraine's role in ensuring transport of energy supplies to a significant part of the European Union energy market, and to support the progressive integration of the Ukrainian energy market with that of the EU;
2. Asks the Council and the Commission to inform the committees responsible regularly and thoroughly of the progress of negotiations;
3. Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the Council and, for information, to the Commission, the Verkhovna Rada and the Ukrainian Government.