16:40 25.04.2013

European officials say Ukraine is a part of European family

2 min read
European officials say Ukraine is a part of European family

Ukraine has demonstrated noticeable progress in its reform implementation process, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has said.

"I would like to assure Ukrainian people that we have noticed recent intensification in efforts directed at reform implementation," the minister told a press briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.

At the same time, the Polish minister urged the Ukrainian side to continue its movement in this direction.

"In that case it is possible that the EU will take a positive decision [on the signing of the Association Agreement with Ukraine]," he said.

In turn, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said an important decision would be taken at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in late November 2013.

"Today we came to Ukraine with hope. We hope that everything will be dome, all opportunities will be used – both Ukraine and the EU will do this. But, first of all, everything depends on Ukraine," the minister said and added that the issue on the signing of the Association Agreement has not been settled yet.

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans stressed that Ukraine is an important European country, which should build its history as a European country and use its potential.

Minister for European Affairs of Denmark Nicolai Wammen said: "All four of us see Ukraine as a part of the European family and we want Ukraine to have closer relations with Europe."

While speaking about the signing of the Association Agreement in November, he expressed hope that all of the EU member states would reach agreement on the issue and the Association Agreement would be signed.

"We're not at that stage yet," he said.

The minister also praised Ukraine for important results it has achieved during recent weeks.

"This demonstrates movement in the right direction," he said, but added that Ukraine still has to carry out a lot of tasks.

"I mean reforms and the release of imprisoned people. Ukraine has to make an important choice," Wammen said.

"We hope that Ukraine will make the right choice and both the government and the opposition of Ukraine are responsible for this. There is a window of opportunity, and it should be used," he said.

A meeting between the foreign ministers of Poland, Denmark, Lithuania and the Netherlands and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych lasted for around three hours.

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