Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine: “Strategic Rethinking”

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Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine: “Strategic Rethinking”

Information Department of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Secretariat
Published on 18 September 2017, at 18:45

Cadenabbia, Italy. There was a sitting of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Initiative (Platform) of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine “Strategic Rethinking of the Eastern Partnership” on September 14-17, which resulted in a joint communique.

Joint Communique
Strategic Rethinking of the Eastern Partnership
Italy - September 17, 2017

On the occasion of the fifth Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Brussels on 24 November, 2017,
We, the Chairperson of Committee on European Integration of the Parliament of Georgia, Committees on European Integration and Foreign Affairs of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Moldova and the co-President of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly and the heads of National Delegations of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to the EuroNest PA have agreed to sign this Communique.
The Communique is elaborated within the framework of the Interparliamentary Cooperation Platform among EU Association Agreement Countries established in 2015 under the initiative of the Committee of European Integration of the Parliament of Georgia. Hereby we call upon the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to consider our Joint Communique at the fifth Eastern Partnership Brussels Summit. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as the European states in pursuit of their European aspirations of full political, economic and institutional integration in the European Union,
Inspired by the idea of Europe whole, free and at peace and loyal to its core values,
Recognising the strategic importance of the European future as the fundamental choice for the sovereignty, prosperity and democratic statecraft in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine,
Recalling the European Parliament resolution on the implementation of the Association Agreements/ DCFTAs with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine (2015/3032(RSP)), stating that “the Association Agreements do not constitute the ultimate goal in relations between the EU and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine…” and that “…pursuant to Article 49 TEU, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine have a European perspective and may apply to become members of the European Union, provided they adhere to the Copenhagen criteria and the principles of democracy, respect for fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights, and ensure the rule of law”,
Reaffirming the commitment to the common values of democracy, freedom, rule of law and human dignity,
Acknowledging the significant threats to those values posed by geopolitical challenges,
Mindful that domestic reform shortcomings, systemic corruption and weak state institutions would make Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine less resilient to those hybrid challenges,
Agreeing that Russian hybrid threats, support of separatists and terrorists in our countries, financing, arming and sending mercenaries, military aggressions, occupation and annexations represent common European as well as national security challenge, aiming to derail Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine from their European path,
Reconfirming the significance of the EU efforts to promote democracy, rule of law and sustainable economic development of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine through various bilateral and multilateral political and technical instruments to enhance domestic reform agenda,
Underlining the necessity for full and efficient utilisation of country specific and joint political and technical tools provided by the European Union – Eastern Partnership, Association Agreement, DCFTA and Visa Liberalization for functional and political integration with the EU,
Noting the EU’s strong support to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine,
Recognising EU’s interests in promoting greater prosperity, security and the freedom of European choice of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine through the principle of “more for more”, and in making them solid contributors to the European stability, prosperity and security,
Stressing the importance of the strong transatlantic relations to the European security and prosperity,
Welcoming US commitment to European security and prosperity, strengthening transatlantic unity, developing joint strategies for countering Russian influence in Europe and European Reassurance Initiative,
Convinced that the European family of democratic nations is the only and the best space for guaranteeing and protecting national values, traditions, ethnical and cultural and other manifestations of identity of every group living on respective sovereign territories, and their peaceful and prosperous coexistence,
Reassuring European partners in strong public consensus and political will in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to be solid contributor to European security, stability and economic development,
Committing to maintain strong national consensus on fundamental choice and mutual solidarity in defending common values by full scale and complex democratic reforms in governance, rule of law, security sector and economy,
Expecting the Eastern Partnership Summit to address the issues of:
· EU membership perspective in line with Article 49 of the Treaty of the European Union;
· Supporting Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in democratic, economic and security reforms;
· Enhancing the assistance to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine through considering the introduction of a new Instrument for the three associated countries, such as a new European Investment Plan and through supporting their participation in EU Agencies and Community Programs; developing joint threat analysis process and common defence and security policy and strategy development mechanisms for safer and more secure Europe;
· Boosting sustainable economic growth, trade and investment opportunities including intra-regional opportunities and with a particular emphasis on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs);
· Strengthening cooperation in energy sphere in all priority areas covered by EU Energy Union;
· Increasing efforts for stronger resilience towards Russian hybrid challenges, threats and aggression;
· Increasing EU’s political and practical role in conflict resolution process;
· Building joint institutionalised strategic communications.
Agreed to:
· Jointly address the EU Parliament for resolution requesting the clear political support and practical roadmap for the membership,
· Organise special hearings of in EU Parliament on the future of Eastern Partnership,
· Organise special hearings in EU Parliament and other respective institutions on hybrid challenges and acts of agression by Russia,
· Increase joint and individual resilience through more robust democratic reforms and governance, more open, inclusive and vibrant societies and credible state institutions,
· Jointly address the Presidential troika of Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) to consider possibility of granting to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine the status of Associated Partners in COSAC which would go in line with the spirit and letter of the Association Agreements,
· Improve institutionalised mechanisms for strategic communications,
· Work jointly with the US, EU Member States and institutions, OSCE and NATO in order to contribute to regional security and stability,
· Develop trilateral cooperation agenda and action plan on the following issues but not limited to:
o Legal harmonisation and standardisation;
o Economy, trade and logistical infrastructure,
o Foreign, defence, security and energy policy,
o Fighting all kinds of extremism and terrorism,
o Resolving conflicts with Russia, reintegration of occupied territories, reverting annexation,
o Inclusive governance and dialogue with civil society,
o Fighting systemic corruption,
o Boosting mutual solidarity and international support.

Tamar KHULORDVA - Chairperson, Committee on European Integration of the Parliament of Georgia, Head of National Delegation of Georgia to the EuroNest PA
Iurie LEANCA - Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Moldova
MARIAN LUPU - Co-President of the Euronest PA, Parliament of Moldova
Mariya IONOVA - Acting Chairperson Committee on European Integration of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Hanna Hopko - Chairperson Committee on Foreign Affairs; Committee of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Borys Tarasyuk - Head of the National Delegation of Ukraine to the EuroNest PA -