EU diplomacy chief expects reform in Ukraine
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has said that the Ukrainian government faces serious challenges in meeting the expectations of the Ukrainian people.
The list of reforms is long and very complicated, but Ukraine already has the EU's support, she said on Wednesday, during a European Parliament hearing in Strasbourg.
According to her, the government in Kyiv needs to fight corruption, carry out constitutional reform and work on decentralization. In addition, it needs to conduct judicial reform, reform of the energy sector, and reform in other sectors.
Mogherini recalled that last week the European Commission suggested providing an additional EUR 1.8 billion in macro-financial assistance to Kyiv.
The EU high representative said that she is counting on the European Parliament's support in approving this assistance.
Speaking about the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Mogherini expressed hope that the parties involved would soon be able to return to a ceasefire, which, in her words, was observed from December 9, 2014, to January 13, 2015.
At the same time, the EU foreign policy chief said that the EU’s strategy for dealing with Russia should be revised.
She noted the importance of analyzing all possible means of cooperation with Russia, and that the EU needs to revise both positive and negative ways to influence Russia.
Mogherini went on to say that a discussion on this matter involving EU foreign ministers will take place on Monday, January 19.