Debate: Preparation of the EU-Ukraine Summit
Date: THURSDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Johannes Hahn
Language: EN

The college—to—government meeting and the summit will provide an opportunity to take stock of the Union’s ongoing support to Ukraine across all areas, including financial, humanitarian, energy, budget support, military support and diplomatic outreach. We will discuss the reform efforts by Ukraine, the further alignment of its legislation with the EU acquis, and we will outline further steps to enhance sectoral cooperation.  Ukraine’s destiny is in Europe. Our common European path was decided last June by granting the status of candidate country to Ukraine. The Commission will support Ukraine throughout the whole accession process, despite the continuing ruthless attacks of the aggressor we are seeing a major momentum of reforms in Ukraine.  Of course, as we well know, the EU accession path is a marathon, not a sprint. The European Council will decide on the next steps unanimously. The discussions in Kiev today and tomorrow will focus on reform priorities and the steps necessary to help Ukraine further align its legislation to the Union  To support the reform process and increase Ukraine’s resilience, we are announcing a new support package worth EUR 400 million, including EUR 145 million in humanitarian assistance and EUR 305 million in bilateral cooperation. The Commission also confirmed to the Ukrainian Government that the setting up of the Secretariat of the Multi—agency Donor Coordination Platform in Brussels is progressing well, including preparation for secondments from G7 countries and other partners.  This announcement followed the first meeting, on the 26 January, of the Steering Committee of the Donor Coordination Platform. The coordination platform will be key to help match needs and resources for Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction efforts.  Ukraine’s accession process works together with its integration of the internal market. The basis of our relationship was already strong, with the Association Agreement and its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The suspension of all tariffs and trade defence measures on Ukraine imports through autonomous trade measures has benefited both sides despite the very difficult circumstances. We will propose to extend these measures soon.  We will also discuss with Ukraine our support across all relevant areas, such as Ukraine’s association to additional EU programmes which will strengthen its economy. Moreover, President von der Leyen will propose a suspension of Ukraine’s financial contributions for participation in Union programmes for as long as Ukraine’s financial challenges remain. As we urgently continue to cut off Russia’s fossil fuel imports, a memorandum of understanding on renewables and gases will also be endorsed. The strategic partnership in this area reflects the significant potential in Ukraine and the high degree of integration of renewables in the energy market and in infrastructure.  Ukraine’s reconstruction cannot be dissociated from Russia’s responsibility for its war of aggression. The atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine will not go unpunished and all options are on the table to ensure full investigation and prosecution. We support the development of an international centre for the prosecution of the crime of aggressions in Ukraine, in The Hague. The objective would be to coordinate investigations of the crime of aggressions against Ukraine and preserve and store evidence for future trials. This coordination centre would be linked to the existing Joint Investigation team supported by Eurojust.  Russia’s military aggression has shown that Ukraine belongs to Europe. We share the same values, the same aspiration for democracy and freedom, and we will stay united for as long as it takes.