REGIONAL COOPERATION AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS AND REGIONAL COOPERATION
Committee on cooperation between Ukraine and the EU (November 2007, Brussels) a
proposal as to establishment of expert consultations with a view to achieving the relevant
agreement between the EU and Ukraine was made.
The strategy on cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in the sphere of energy is set forth
in the provisions of Memorandum on mutual understanding as to cooperation in energetic
signed December 1, 2005. The memorandum embraces the following spheres of extended
bilateral cooperation:
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Nuclear safety.
Integration of the electric energy and gas markets.
Enhancement of security of energy supply and transit of carbon dioxides.
Structural reform, rise of standards of occupational safety and protection of
environment in the coal mining industry.
Energy efficiency.
Significance of the Memorandum is in the common tasks of the EU and Ukraine energy
policy which are directed on the implementation of strategic interests in the sphere of
diversification and safe supply of energy resources as well as electric energy. The
Memorandum also declares Ukraine’s membership in the Treaty on energy cooperation
(TEC) which came into force on 1 July 2006. In July 2008 the EC won a mandate to set
up negotiations in the framework of Ukraine’s preparation for its accession to the TEC.
First consultations on Ukraine’s accession to the Energy community took place on 16-18
September 2008.
The most urgent question of Ukraine-EU cooperation today is holding negotiations on
Agreement on Ukraine’s associate membership instead of the Partnership and cooperation
agreement which shall include a clear prospect of a free trade zone creation between
Ukraine and the EU.
In comparison with the present PCA the Agreement on the association with the EU is a
completely new, enhanced pattern of relations between Ukraine and the EU. The basis of
political association is the convergence of Ukrainian and the EU positions on all questions
on international peace and security, provision of Ukraine’s direct participation in the EU
policies, agencies and programs, joint efforts as for insurance of Ukraine’s national security.
The basis of economic integration is the creation of an enhanced and comprehensive Free
trade zone EU-Ukraine on the grounds of the four freedoms which will lead to a stage by
stage integration of Ukraine into the EU internal market.
In the course of the summit agreements on the addition of provisions putting in a practical
mechanism of provision by the parties of the principles of independence, territorial
integrity and inviolability of boarders, as well as the obligations as to adherence of these
principles for third parties, to the Agreement were achieved. Therefore the Agreement on
association sets up a legal basis for a transformation of the EU into a guarantor of Ukraine’s
national security, which is extremely important today in the region. Besides, this sets up
the prerequisites for bringing Ukraine-EU relationship to a level of the allied practical
partnership in the sphere of security.
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