The Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC):

 

1. Commends the resilience, will and exemplary courage shown by the Ukrainian people in these last months and their strong attachment to European values. Underlines the common interest of Ukraine and the EU for a rapid realisation of the  aspiration of the Ukrainian people to live in a European democratic state; reiterates its absolute conviction that  the people of Ukraine alone can  decide on their country's future path.  

 

2.  Strongly condemns the Russian act of aggression by invading and occupying Crimea, which is a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Underlines that it has been and might still be conducted on the basis of completely unfounded arguments. Reiterates that the so-called “referendum” held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea on 16 March 2014 was in breach of the Constitution of Ukraine. It, was conducted under de-facto Russian occupation and in breach of the fundamental norms of international law. It thus does not entail any legal consequences, is not valid, will not be recognised and has to be regarded as illegal and illegitimate.

 

3.  Calls on  the Russian Federation, as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, to  duly observe its international obligations; in particular, those under the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances of 1994 as well as other international instruments and bilateral agreements concluded with Ukraine, and, therefore, to restore Crimea’s legitimate status as an integral part of Ukraine. 

 

4. Urges the EU to support Ukraine in all international organisations, and in particular the International judicial bodies, should Ukraine decide to raise the Crimean case in them.

 

5. Expresses deep concern about anti-Ukrainian and anti-EU propaganda launched in the Russian Federation with the aim to misinform the Russian people, to instigate mistrust and hatred towards the Ukrainian and EU nations, and undermines the idea of a Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security community, as mentioned in the OSCE Astana Commemorative Declaration of 2010 agreed by Russia together with other OSCE Participating States. Underlines that the aggressive activities of Russia are also a blatant and cynical violation of the obligations undertaken by the Russian Federation as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council to promote and preserve international peace and security, as well as to develop friendly relations among nations.

6. Calls on the Russian Federation to refrain from any deliberate action or undue political interference and economic pressure that may aggravate the situation in Ukraine, in particular in its Eastern and Southern regions.

7. Welcomes the decision of the European Union to introduce targeted sanctions, including travel restrictions and asset freeze, against persons responsible for actions of intolerance and hatred, including calls for war, or for actions which could undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Following the European Council of 20-21 March, welcomes the decision by the EU Council of Ministers to enlarge the list of individuals on which restrictive measures are imposed.

8. Urges the Russian Federation to begin a direct and frank dialogue with the Government of Ukraine, if necessary through potential multilateral mechanisms, in order to find a peaceful solution to the current situation in full respect of the bilateral and multilateral commitments to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

9.Underlines the need for an assessment of the Eastern Partnership policy of the EU and the strategic guidelines of its future development. Notices in this regard the Kowal report on assessing and setting priorities for EU relations with Eastern Partnership Countries adopted by the EP on 20 March 2014.

10. Reiterates that the Association Agreement with Ukraine does not constitute the final goal in EU-Ukraine relations. In this context points that pursuant to Article 49 of the TEU, Ukraine – like any other European state – has a European perspective and may apply to become a member of the Union, provided that it adheres to the principles of democracy, respects fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights and ensures the rule of law.

11. Welcomes the Statement adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 13 March, 2014, that confirmed once again the willingness of the majority of Ukraine’s society and political forces on the country's European integration choice.   

12. Welcomes the signature on 21 March of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine and the immediate provisional application of its political chapters, confirming hereby the unambiguous and determined European choice of Ukraine.  Calls on both parties to proceed with the signature, of the remaining parts of the Agreement as soon as possible, reminds that together with the political chapters, constitute a single document. Notes that the EU's political and financial commitment towards the European integration of Ukraine requires reciprocal tangible commitment to democratic principles and values, as well as commitment to sound management of the EU's financial aid.

13. Confirms the mutual commitment of the European Parliament and of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the earliest possible ratification of the Association Agreement. Underlines the common responsibility of Ukraine and of the EU for a successful and full implementation of the Association Agreement and calls upon the Government of Ukraine to finalize, in close consultation with the EU, and adopt the National programme of implementation of the Association Agreement.

14. Welcomes the commitments, declared by the Ukrainian authorities, to conduct the early Presidential election in a free, transparent and democratic manner in accordance with relevant international standards.  Calls on the relevant European Parliament authorities to positively reply to the request of the Ukrainian authorities to send an election observation mission as already offered in previous EP resolutions. Urges Ukraine not to give in to pressure to postpone the presidential elections scheduled for 25 May 2014, as this could, amongst others, compromise the speedy signature of the remaining parts of the Association Agreement.

15. Calls on the European Union and the Government of Ukraine to work out and implement without delay an effective information campaign for the citizens, and to carry out programs demonstrating the benefits of the political association and economic integration of Ukraine with the EU and to counter all false and biased information, in particular in the Eastern and Southern regions, and including at local level. 

16. Urges the Ukrainian Government to launch an ambitious set of transparent and comprehensive structural reforms prioritising strengthening the rule of law, eradicating corruption through the adoption and enforcement of necessary legislation, establishing a balanced and functional system of governance based on separation of powers and in line with European standards, a substantial reform of the judicial system and the election law, and an improvement of the anti-discrimination legislation.

17. Draws the attention to the urgent need for the Ukrainian government to launch the much needed political, economic and social reforms, focusing on creating a sustainable economic development, improving the investment climate, promoting small and medium enterprises along the commitments already given by the Ukrainian government.

18. Welcomes the decision of the EU to provide an ambitious economic and financial assistance package to support Ukraine's current reform agenda, and welcomes the swift decision to already adopt unilateral trade measures and macro financial assistance.  Invites the European Union to work out the organisation of an International donors' conference, as proposed earlier, in order to convene it as soon as possible and collect pledges which should help Ukraine in carrying out reforms and implementing the Association Agreement.

19. Underlines that transparent and thorough investigations into the acts of violence and violations of basic rights and fundamental freedoms that happened in the lasts months in Kiev and in other regions of Ukraine as well as conduct of democratic, fair and transparent elections, fighting against corruption, strengthening rule of law and establishment of an independent judiciary are factors of critical importance to restore unity of the country and confidence and trust of the citizens in the new Ukrainian authorities. Stresses that all those responsible for grave violations of human rights over the last months have to be brought to justice. Urges the Ukrainian authorities to quickly set up a credible and independent judicial investigation of the Kyiv shootings and Maidan events with the inclusion of a strong international component and under the supervision of the Council of Europe. 

20. Underlines the importance of supporting the work of local NGOs in promoting the pro-European choice and public consensus, enhancing people to people contacts between the citizens of the European Union and those of Ukraine through establishment of the visa-free regime as a fundamental tool of European integration. Calls to advance along the path of introducing a visa-free regime.

21. Highlights the importance of investing in projects for youth and future leaders by making full use of scholarship opportunities under the Erasmus+ program and by establishing inter alia an Eastern Partnership University and Black Sea European College, which would provide opportunities for the development of educational programs on different levels.

22. Is convinced that EU assistance to Ukraine in securing energy supply through further diversification, enhanced energy efficiency, and effective interconnections with the European Union will strengthen Ukraine’s independence from political and economic pressures.

23. Underlines the need to eventually reform the existing language legislation in cooperation with the Venice Commission and bringing it into line with the Ukrainian obligations under the European Chapter for Regional or Minorities Languages .

24. Decides to hold the next meeting of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in autumn 2014 in Brussels, subject to confirmation of by the new EP Delegation to the EU-Ukraine PCC constituted after the EP parliamentary elections of 25 May 2014.