Prystaiko: We expect EU to review approaches towards cooperation with Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova

Ukraine hopes that its strategic focus on EU and NATO membership will be reflected in the final document of the forthcoming Eastern Partnership summit.
Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko said during the teleconference "Ukraine in the Eastern Partnership: Ambitions after 2020", an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Ukraine's strategic course remains unchanged – full-fledged membership, integration into the EU and NATO is a key basis of our foreign policy, and it has not changed. Although we have a discussion in society, but it is a sign of healthy society and healthy discussion in expert circles. But as a Vice Prime Minister, I can say that I do not feel that this course can be jeopardized. We are moving forward at full speed," the official stressed.

He underscored that Ukraine was in favor of a positive agenda of the Eastern Partnership, within which each country will be able to achieve the level of cooperation with the European Union it aspires to and deserves.

"We are convinced that the EU's policy towards the Eastern Partnership must be progressive, forward-looking, and imply a positive approach. So we can see new strategic goals for partners in the East. What we see in Ukraine is the gradual acquisition of access to all "four freedoms of the European Union [free movement of people, goods, services and capital]," Prystaiko said.

The Vice Prime Minister noted that the Ukrainian side regretted the fact that the EU's approach to this issue is not ambitious and strategic enough. He expressed hope that the parties would be able to elaborate a new agenda with the possibility of deeper integration of partner countries into the European Union by the next summit.

"I am convinced that together we will be able to adopt an ambitious joint declaration that will suit all parties. We also expect that the European Union will review its approaches towards cooperation with Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. We came up with the idea of ​​an enhanced dialogue with the EU… We are ready to move forward with this. We believe that it is important for Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova that this European instrument has separate and adequate funding and is intended exclusively for the EU's neighborhood. In this context, the development of a special financial instrument for the three associated countries is more than welcome," Prystaiko said.