Statement on Ukraine by Commissioner Štefan Füle, and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament Elmar Brok following their meeting in Strasbourg on 15 February
"The ambitious EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, whose negotiations were recently concluded, is the outcome of several years of joint discussions and provides for a shared commitment to a close and lasting relationship that is based on common values. Its implementation will represent a decisive step for Ukraine's progress towards modernisation and prosperity as well as for the deepening of the EU-Ukraine relations. Recent political developments in Ukraine nevertheless raise serious questions on the willingness of the Ukrainian authorities to respect the commitments enshrined in the agreement, especially in the area of the rule of law and of the respect of political pluralism. We therefore call on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the opportunities created by the Association Agreement are fully exploited and that the political conditions for a smooth signing and ratification of the Agreement are met."