1. 1 Ukraine and “Eastern Partnership”: Advantages and Challenges Rivne Regional State Administration

2. The Main Components of the Development of Relations Between Ukraine and EU: interstate cooperation interstate cooperation interregional cooperation interregional cooperation interpersonal contacts interpersonal contacts economic cooperation economic cooperation 2

3. 3 Analysis of the Current Situation The number of entry points between Ukraine and EU member states Member States of the EU Length of the border with Ukraine (km) Actual number of entry points Required number of entry points according to the standard Poland543618-27 Slovakia98,523-5 Hungary135,154-6 Romania625,4 3+3 local 21-31 TOTAL1402 16+3 local 46-69

4. 4 Analysis of the Current Situation (2) Density – 1 entry point for 80 – 90 km. Density – 1 entry point for 80 – 90 km. (According to the existing European standards there should be 1 entry point for 20 – 30 km of the border). (According to the existing European standards there should be 1 entry point for 20 – 30 km of the border). The number of entry points between Ukraine and EU member states

5. 5 Analysis of the Current Situation (3) In 2008 the citizens of Ukraine received 1 million 22 thou Schengen visas. This is 134 % higher than the index in 2007 (435 thou visas) In 2008 the citizens of Ukraine received 1 million 22 thou Schengen visas. This is 134 % higher than the index in 2007 (435 thou visas) Visits of Ukrainian citizens to the member states of the EU

6. 6 Analysis of the Current Situation (4) Visits of Ukrainian citizens to the member states of the EU Positive changes in 2008: considerable increase of the number of free visas (40% of the total quantity); considerable increase of the number of free visas (40% of the total quantity); substantial increase of the share of multiple entry visas (from 1 to 5 years); substantial increase of the share of multiple entry visas (from 1 to 5 years); the number of visa denials, on average, decreased from 12% in 2007 to 6% in 2008 the number of visa denials, on average, decreased from 12% in 2007 to 6% in 2008

7. 7 Analysis of the Current Situation (5) Visits of Ukrainian citizens to the member states of the EU there are some cases when certain consular offices of the member states of the EU fulfilled the Agreement terms improperly, however those violations are not consistent any more, thus they do not happen on a regular basis there are some cases when certain consular offices of the member states of the EU fulfilled the Agreement terms improperly, however those violations are not consistent any more, thus they do not happen on a regular basis (according to the statistical data in the 1 st quarter of 2009 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received 48 written complaints from physical and legal entities of Ukraine, що у 3 рази менше, ніж за аналогічний період минулого року)

8. 8 Analysis of the Current Situation (6) Results of the sociological statistical researches: youth appears to be the most numerous group among Ukrainians who travel to the EU (around 30 %); youth appears to be the most numerous group among Ukrainians who travel to the EU (around 30 %); the number of Ukrainians who live and work abroad: the number of Ukrainians who live and work abroad: in 2005-2007 – 1400 thou citizens in 2007-2008 – 1264 thou citizens; the number of Ukrainian citizens who officially work abroad and are on consular registration as people who temporarily work abroad equals to 539,2 thou people. the number of Ukrainian citizens who officially work abroad and are on consular registration as people who temporarily work abroad equals to 539,2 thou people.

9. Economic Cooperation 9 The share of the EU member states in the foreign trade turnover of Rivne region in the 1 st six months of 2009 is 57,8 %; The share of the EU member states in the foreign trade turnover of Rivne region in the 1 st six months of 2009 is 57,8 %; As for the 1 st half-year 2009 the foreign trade turnover (goods) with the countries of this area decreased by 35,8% when compared with the same period of 2008; As for the 1 st half-year 2009 the foreign trade turnover (goods) with the countries of this area decreased by 35,8% when compared with the same period of 2008; Poland, Germany and Latvia are the most important trade partners of Rivne region among the EU member states. Their shares are 19,3%, 10,3%, and 7,9% of the total foreign trade turnover (goods) accordingly. Poland, Germany and Latvia are the most important trade partners of Rivne region among the EU member states. Their shares are 19,3%, 10,3%, and 7,9% of the total foreign trade turnover (goods) accordingly. (Within the bounds of economic cooperation European community doesn’t take into account that Ukraine is the member of the WTO and its market economy status.)

10. 10 Ukraine Views Effective Use of the EU Tool – “Eastern Partnership” – as the Way to Improve the Given Situation Main goals of the “Eastern Partnership”: gradual liberalization of the visa regime, with visa-free regime as a long-term goal of the EaP, gradual liberalization of the visa regime, with visa-free regime as a long-term goal of the EaP, creation of deep and comprehensive free trade areas, creation of deep and comprehensive free trade areas, upgrading of cultural, educational, ecological, energy security cooperation etc. upgrading of cultural, educational, ecological, energy security cooperation etc. EU standards integration Creation of the system of recommendations for the implementation of agreements

11. The Role of Poland and Ukraine in the “Eastern Partnership”  Poland is the initiator of the “Eastern Partnership” Thanks to Poland the ambitious “Eastern Partnership” project proposal was submitted Eastern Partnership is a result of the compromise in the EU and the negotiations with the partner states  Ukraine is a sample of the “Eastern Partnership” The relations between Ukraine and the EU were taken as a sample of bilateral perspective of the initiative Ukraine as the largest partner state supported the “Eastern Partnership” 11

12. 12 Advantages of the “Eastern Partnership” for Ukraine 1. more flexible EU political tool - it allows development with the regard to needs, opportunities and achievements of each partner state, - offers more ambitious approach than the European Neighbourhood Policy - offers more ambitious approach than the European Neighbourhood Policy 2.differentiation - it foresees a separate approach to each partner state depending on the success of internal reforms’ promotion and development of the relationships with the EU, - Ukraine-EU is a sample of bilateral relation as for the “Eastern Partnership” - Ukraine-EU is a sample of bilateral relation as for the “Eastern Partnership”

13. 13 Advantages of the “Eastern Partnership” for Ukraine (2) 3.an opportunity of the consolidation of political cooperation and economic integration with the EU signing of agreements, including Association and Free- Trade Agreements for the countries which are ready to assume the corresponding long-term obligations with the EU 4.intensifying of relations between the Eastern partners themselves multilateral format of cooperation gives an opportunity for all partner countries and the EU to understand the situation in the region better and to solve existing regional problems, issues of stability and security support in the region, and development of transborder infrastructure

14. 14 Advantages of the “Eastern Partnership” for Ukraine (3) 5. “Mobility and Security Pacts” promotion of legal movement of people foresees enhancing efforts on fighting against corruption, organized outlawry, and illegal migration gradual liberalization of the visa regime (visa-free regime) interpersonal contacts between the partner state and the EU

15. 15 Advantages of the “Eastern Partnership” for Ukraine (4) 6.strengthening of mutual energy security in the partner states and the EU; intensification of the the cooperation in the field of environmental protection and climate it foresees legal integration (including values, norms and standards) as well as technical adaptation of Ukrainian energy sector to European level

16. 16 Challenges of the “Eastern Partnership” 1.the lack of the European perspective the general nature of the document doesn’t reflect the interest of the European community in the future membership of Ukraine in the European Union the general nature of the document doesn’t reflect the interest of the European community in the future membership of Ukraine in the European Union the Programme doesn’t take into account that Ukraine is the member of the WTO and its market economy status the Programme doesn’t take into account that Ukraine is the member of the WTO and its market economy status

17. 17 Challenges of the “Eastern Partnership” (2) 2.insufficient financing of the “Eastern Partnership” (0,6 billion Euros until 2013) the implementation of the new “Eastern Partnership” is secured by an old financial instrument of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)which is not enough for 6 partner states the implementation of the new “Eastern Partnership” is secured by an old financial instrument of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)which is not enough for 6 partner states Ukraine can not count on the annual aid equal to 1-2 Euros per capita. Ukraine can not count on the annual aid equal to 1-2 Euros per capita. At the same time, in 2009 as a part of the reforms’ support the EU plans to spend 24 Euros per capita in Serbia and 20 Euros – in Albania.

18. The Challenges of the “Eastern Partnership”(3) 3. the need for the new mechanisms insufficient mechanisms are presented only by twinning and internships insufficient mechanisms are presented only by twinning and internships there is a need to use more innovative approaches which would cover regional or sector dimension there is a need to use more innovative approaches which would cover regional or sector dimension expansion of the regional share in the thematic platforms expansion of the regional share in the thematic platforms

19. Ukrainian Concerns Relating to the “Eastern Partnership” (4) 4. The lack of the clear schedule of imposing visa-free regime with Ukraine in any regulating documents

20. 20 “Eastern Partnership” is a Framework For Further Progress of Relations With the EU for the EU: to have the influence upon the further development of the Eastern Partnership member states, to estimate its perspectives in JV for the EU: to have the influence upon the further development of the Eastern Partnership member states, to estimate its perspectives in JV “Eastern Partnership” has to turn into a complex of effective and specific actions aiming at enhancing integration of partner states to the ЄС “Eastern Partnership” has to turn into a complex of effective and specific actions aiming at enhancing integration of partner states to the ЄС the only possible way for Ukraine is to reform all vital fields the only possible way for Ukraine is to reform all vital fields for Ukraine the “Eastern Partnership” is a possibility to settle the negotiated and new perspectives of the integration to the European Union within the new legal bounds for Ukraine the “Eastern Partnership” is a possibility to settle the negotiated and new perspectives of the integration to the European Union within the new legal bounds “Eastern Partnership” is a step in the right direction, and its contents should fully reflect the individual peculiarities of each partner state

21. 21 Thank you for your attention!