Ukraine Had Somewhat Different Expectations form the Riga Summit

• 05.30.2015, 09:00
•  Europe,  Interview

After the Riga Summit “Armedia” Information, Analytical Agency has organized a series of interviews with the experts of the Eastern Partnership countries.   We present an EXCLUSIVE Interview  with the Chairman of the Board of the Agency for Legislative Initiatives (Ukraine), Igor Kogut

-How do you assess the present stage of Eastern Partnership policy and according to you what are the reforms the project should undergo?

- In the final declaration of the Summit there is a concrete objective set: to overcome current challenges. The first thing is to develop differentiated approach towards each partner country. This is necessary for taking into consideration the horizon of the dialogues and discussions with the EU. The countries that have signed the Association Agreement, of course, have other relations with the EU. As for the rest three countries, then during the past year and a half sufficient work has been done to define main and possible paths of cooperation with them. :  

 -To what expend were your expectations from the Riga Summit met and what became the major achievement from the Summit?

-All in all, before the Summit we had a bit different expectations. As for the declaration and its part referring to Ukraine, it was important for us to have the European perspective of Ukraine confirmed; the thing which did not happen. The second important thing was the facilitation of visa regime. Let us put it in this way, Ukraine did get neither status nor any signal.

In general, on other issues the EU was more unanimous with Ukraine, at least this refers to the majority of the Summit participants. On Russia’s aggression and on the definition of annexation the EU expressed its opinion, which partially was not supported by the post-Soviet some partner countries.

-In what direction do you think relations between Georgia and EU and Georgia and other Eastern Partners will move?

- After the summit the direction we aimed at was clear: to get some guarantees and shorter terms for the abolition of the visa regime. President Poroshenko has already declared about his intention to use tough methods against those officials who did not do complete work on the fight against corruption and on the plan of activities for visa liberalization

Several political decision are to be made, which will  give an opportunity to get a perspective for the realization of the Free Trade Zone agreement.

Joining the Free Trade Zone agreement continues to be a priority for us. There are also big companies, who are interested in this process.  

Equal relations are developed with the Eastern Partnership countries aimed at understanding the expectations of each partner country.

What we witness in the Baltic countries, the EU will aim to achieve also in the countries that have chosen European direction and move faster toward the EU.