Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-01-13-Speech-4-010"
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"en.20050113.3.4-010"2
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"Mr President, after a little less than two months Ukraine has again become a topic of debate in this House. This is an important sign, which reflects our interest in the changes and our positive attitude towards them. It also reflects the special role played by the European Parliament, which was one of the first to react to the victory of democracy in Ukraine. The time for words is past, and it is now time for action.
The empty chair of the Luxembourg Presidency, which has chosen to be absent during this debate, is telling. During a debate held in this House yesterday, I highlighted the fact that there is no mention whatsoever of Ukraine in the Luxembourg Presidency’s list of priorities. I am also deeply disappointed at the extremely conservative, modest and static position adopted by the European Commission on this issue.
Given the changes that have taken place, it would be wholly inadequate to offer Ukraine the old Action Plan. Democracy and values that are also shared by us have triumphed in Ukraine, and this calls for a change in the European Union’s approach to the country. We must offer Ukraine a new strategy and a new quality of relations, which means that we need new instruments, not instruments negotiated with President Yanukovych’s government in a previous era.
The numerous expressions of sympathy and support should be transformed into decisive and rapid action, and it should not be forgotten that time is a key factor. We cannot afford to wait, and we must move beyond mere rhetoric. We therefore expect both the Council and the Commission to undertake immediate measures. The old Action Plan drawn up in a previous era is no longer appropriate to the new conditions in the country, and therefore needs to be revised and extended beyond the scope of the neighbourhood policy. We should support Ukraine in its attempt to achieve market economy status, and ensure that a free-trade zone is created between the European Union and Ukraine. The latter should be helped to gain membership of the World Trade Organisation and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), and to approximate its legislation to that of the European Union. Political dialogue should be initiated on structural issues and, as part of this dialogue, talks opened with Ukraine on energy security and the fight against terrorism. A simplified visa regime should be considered for the country, and an Association Agreement with Ukraine should replace the Action Plan. Work on such an Association Agreement should begin now, so that it will be possible to replace the Action Plan after three years. Finally, we should offer Ukraine the prospect of membership.
These measures should act as a strong incentive for continuing and far-reaching political and economic reforms in Ukraine. This is in our clear interest, and in the interest of the victory of democracy across Eastern Europe. I thank you."@en1
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