A number of MEPs welcomed the ratification of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, the Upper house of the Dutch Parliament (the Senate) and consider the necessary assistance to Ukraine to make full use of the potential agreement. This is stated in a statement released by the EU delegation in Ukraine, the statement of the Chairman of the foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament David McAllister (EPP, Germany), Chairman of the parliamentary Committee of Association between Ukraine and the EU, Dariusz Rosati (EPP, Poland), his Deputy Tibor Shane and Kai Callas, as well as the permanent Rapporteur on Ukraine Michael galley (EPP, Germany).
“We very much welcome the vote of the Senate of the Netherlands in support of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine. It opens the way to a full-fledged entry into force of this key agreement. For the European Parliament, which ratified it by an overwhelming majority in November 2014, this remarkable and long – awaited news,” the statement noted.
In the EP called the ratification process is “a marathon with many unexpected obstacles and unfair” and urged the Dutch authorities and Executive bodies of the EU “to complete the process as soon as possible” but no later than the summit EU-Ukraine, which will take place in Kyiv on July 13.
“This is another defining event in the bilateral relations between Ukraine and the EU after the visa-free regime. The latter will enter into force for citizens of Ukraine on June 11. Now is the time to think about our future relations. Should begin with the provision of assistance to Ukraine to enable it to fully exploit the potential of the Association Agreement and to identify areas for further strengthening cooperation,” the statement noted.
The European Parliament also promised to do all they can to help Ukraine in carrying out reforms, share experiences and promote further development of bilateral relations for the benefit of EU citizens and citizens of Ukraine.
We will remind, the Upper house of the Dutch Parliament (the Senate) supported the ratification of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.
As reported, the lower house of the Dutch Parliament (House of representatives) 23 Feb officially confirmed the ratification of the Association Agreement with Ukraine.
To complete the process of ratifying the Agreement must also be ratified by the government of the Netherlands.
