Analytics and diplomats are divided on how to assess the upcoming top level meeting.

The upcoming Ukraine - European Union summit due in Evian (France) September 9 will be one of the most important events shaping not only EU Ukraine bilateral relations. The event might define the forms and modalities of further EU involvement into the whole region of Eastern Europe. But it still remains unclear what the summit will deliver. The analytics and diplomats are divided on how to assess the results of the summit for Ukraine as well as for the whole of the region.

The media have already reported that several EU countries (Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) blocked a positive language in the new EU - Ukraine agreement on Ukraine`s EU membership prospects with Poland, the Czech Republic, the Baltic States, Sweden and Britain pressing for language stating that Ukraine has a clear European future. Latest drafts of the text suggest that the agreement does "not prejudge any possible future developments in the EU-Ukraine relationship" while keeping more positive language in the summit declaration like “the sides are open to new prospects for relations. This will disappoint not only Ukraine, but other countries of the region hoping for EU membership.

Reacting to critical publications in Ukrainian media on results of the summit the Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Kostiantyn Yeliseev, who is chief negotiator with the EU, expressed his opinion that the results of the summit would disprove pessimistic forecasts and strengthen European integration of Ukraine. In his opinion, "the summit will back the Ukrainian President's initiative of concluding an association rather than a partnership or neighborhood agreement as insisted by the EU. In this context, the EU might demonstrate its openness to Ukraine, and support the European choice of Ukraine as a state having common history and sharing common values with the EU".

Yeliseev voiced confidence in gradual and firm integration of Ukraine to the EU; he says the meeting "will launch the dialogue on introduction of visa-free regime between Ukraine and the European Union". He expressed his conviction that the summit would become a history-making event on the path of Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU and transfer to a new format of relationship based on the principles of political association and economic integration.

However, the majority of experts are less enthusiastic about the results of the summit. A conclusion shared by many is that due to reservation of first of all the Netherlands the outcome of Yushchenko - Sarkozy meeting might not be adequate to challenges, which the EU and non-EU European countries face today. The term association is used in EU agreements with majority of EU trade partners all over the world; a dialogue on visa issues, which the EU holds already for years with Russia, foresees no roadmap and will last for a decade of more, making visa regime for Ukrainians not easier. And the terminology in the agreement that the future "should not be prejudged", proposed by the EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner, means that the issue of EU candidate status for Ukraine is removed from the agenda for the next fifteen or more years.

Consequences of such a hesitant EU position remain to be seen. But in no way they will strengthen pro-European forces in Eastern Europe and help security and stability on EU borders.

Martin Wagner, for the ECC newsletter

 Energy security among priorities of Ukraine-EU Summit

EU and Ukraine energy partnership will be closely discussed during the upcoming EU - Ukraine summit. In 2005 the sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation and annual reports on its implementation are discussed during the bilateral summits.

One of the main issues for energy cooperation is gas transportation. The capacity of Ukrainian gas transit pipelines and gas-holders is the biggest in Europe. Nonetheless, the gas transit system of this country needs a considerable modernization. Soon Ukraine will be hosting a high level conference on gas transportation system devoted to give an impetus to reforms in this sector. The conference could suggest some efficient financial mechanisms to assure a proper modernization while the leaders during the Summit may also contribute into cooperation between the EU in Ukraine.

Having realized that energy transit is a trump card for national economy that should be played, Ukraine started negotiations on accession to the Energy Community Treaty and launched researches on synchronous interconnection of national electricity network to EU`s one. 

More about Ukraine`s role in the EU energy policy: a round table discussion Energy Security & Ukraine's Role in the EU's Energy Policy.

The Summit in Evian will declare EU association with Ukraine, but not open European prospects - Ukraine`s ambassador to the EU

The upcoming EU - Ukraine summit in Evian will not open EU accession prospects for Ukraine but declare association between the sides as well as launch a dialogue on visa free regime, the head of the Mission of Ukraine to the EU A.Veselovsky told in his article published in the Ukrainian newspaper Weekly mirror. The ambassador acknowledged that the French presidency showed outstanding skills in building consensus between the member states on two mentioned issues but because of the position of some countries the agreement on EU prospect for Ukraine was not achieved.

The head of Ukraine`s mission to the EU particularly emphasized importance of internal political stability and deep and systemic reforms in order to achieve a national goal of EU membership.

Vice President of the European Parliament Marek Siwiec: current conflict between Georgia and Russia is a second chance for Ukrainian European perspective after the Orange Revolution in 2004.

While Ukraine is struggling for assuring a clear European prospective notwithstanding autumn political turmoil in the country just on the eve of the Summit, Ukraine supporters share their optimism as for possible results of the meeting in Evian.

It is paradoxical: the conflict between Russia and Georgia favours Ukraine in the context of its European aspiration, M.Siwiec says in his article to the Ukrainian newspaper Day. The existing instrument embodied in the European Neighborhood Policy is not sufficient. We need a new instrument and new incentives, otherwise all efforts will be wasted out, he says adding that such a situation can be compared only with the EU reaction on the Orange Revolution 2004. If I am right, it means that Ukraine is given a second chance, stresses the Vice President of the European Parliament.

This newsletter has been launched by the European communication company in cooperation with leading EU and Ukrainian journalists and political scientists in order to improve knowledge in the EU about the European integration of Ukraine.