The European Parliament has stressed the need for the EU to support the involvement of international financial institutions with a view to providing financial assistance to help Ukraine implement reforms connected with the signing of the Association Agreement.

This is stated in a European Parliament resolution on the outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine, which was voted on during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday.

"[The European Parliament] underlines the need for the EU to support the involvement of international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, with a view to providing financial assistance to help Ukraine implement reforms connected with the signing of the Association Agreement," reads the resolution.

Speaking about the Eastern Partnership initiative as a whole, the European Parliament believes that the outcome and overall context of the Vilnius Summit "highlight the need for the EU to articulate a more strategic and flexible policy in support of the European choice of its Eastern partners, using the full range of tools at its disposal, such as macroeconomic assistance, easing of trade regimes, projects to enhance energy security and economic modernization, and swift implementation of visa liberalization, in line with European values and interests."

In addition, the resolution supports the further involvement of civil society in national reform processes, encourages enhanced inter-parliamentary cooperation with the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, calls for a European Parliament mission to be sent to Ukraine as soon as possible, and welcomes the involvement of the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of the Eastern Partnership.