Referendum on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in the Kingdom of the Netherlands

4.11.2015

Question for written answer E-014456-15
to the Council
Rule 130
Andrej Plenković (PPE)

On 14 October 2015, following receipt of a sufficient number of signatures to the citizens' initiative on the ratification of the EU‐Ukraine Association Agreement, the Dutch Electoral Council decided to conduct a referendum on the issue. The referendum is consultative in nature. However, should the turnout be over 30%, the Dutch Government will be required to position itself accordingly.

To date, the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement has been fully ratified by 22 of the 28 Member States. The key provisions of the agreement entered into force provisionally on 1 November 2014. The economic part of the agreement is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2016. In line with the agreement, Ukraine is undergoing a complex process of EU-oriented reforms, and the EU is heavily involved in assisting the country in this process.

I therefore wish to ask the European Council and the Council of the EU about the possible impact and consequences of the referendum on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in the Netherlands with regard to its entry into force and implementation.