Ukraine welcomes the European Parliament’s approval on the 21st of January 2016 of the Resolution on the Association Agreements/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova and considers it as an evidence of the EP consistent support of the reformist efforts of these countries on their way to the European integration.

The key messages of the approved Resolution are condemnation of the Russian actions aimed at blocking of the European aspirations of the partner-countries as well as a clear appeal to Russia to put an end to the occupation of the Crimea and further provocation of the conflicts in the territories of these countries.

An extremely important message is the European Parliament support of the EU Council Decision to extend economic sanctions against Russia in view of its non-fulfillment of the Minsk agreements until 31 July 2016 and a call on Russian authorities to release immediately all illegally detained Ukrainians, in particular Nadiya Savchenko and Oleh Sentsov. Ukraine also expresses its gratitude for support of its initiative to deploy the EU-led CSDP mission to assist the Minsk agreements implementation.

The EP has supported the positive recommendations of the European Commission concerning the visa liberalization with Ukraine. The EP expects the EU Council and member-states to approve a relevant decision without any delay.

The Ukrainian side expresses a particular gratitude for a clear message of the European Parliament (the institution that represents a direct voice of the EU citizens) that any European state in accordance to the Article 49 of the EU Treaty can claim to membership in the European Union.

Despite difficult security challenges, Ukraine remains committed to implementing the Association Agreement and the Association Agenda.

In this regard, Ukraine relies on continuation of the EU active support of the European transformation process in our country.