Facts

Mogherini: EU attention to Ukraine not weakening, because problems not disappeared

The European Union's attention to Ukraine has not weakened at all, as it may seem, and the problems associated with this country have not disappeared, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has stated.

Speaking at a plenary meeting of the European Parliament on the situation in Ukraine in Brussels on Wednesday evening, she recalled that five years ago, at the beginning of her mandate, Ukraine "was almost the only issue on our foreign policy agenda."

"The new government has taken a bold approach to reforms. Expectations in public opinion are very high. The number of legislative acts adopted since this summer is unprecedented. And we are ready and willing to support the new government of Ukraine in ensuring that this wave of legislation truly delivers in practical terms," she said.

"Another extremely important area continues to be the fight against corruption. Improving the business and investment climate and tackling the oligarchic structures is also crucial to unleash Ukraine's economic potential and, I would say, for having a healthy environment in the country altogether," the official stated.

"We also continue to engage on energy sector reform, and we look forward to the unbundling of gas transmission from production and supply, which should happen by the end of this year. We are also working with Ukraine and Russia through our dialogue to conclude a new gas transit contract," she added.

"In recent weeks, we have witnessed some important developments in the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group. The outcome of the Trilateral Contact Group meeting in Minsk on October 1, on the so-called Steinmeier formula, is a step that could hopefully lead to some progress towards the full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all parties," the report reads.

"It should be clear that the Minsk agreements remain central to reaching a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, to end the fighting and the suffering of so many people … We have never stopped supporting the work of the Normandy format, the Trilateral Contact Group, and the OSCE. And we will continue to do so until Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully restored," she said.

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