Volodymyr Vecherko, First Deputy Chair of the European Integration Committee, met Danuta Hübner, Chair of the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament, in Brussels.
The participants announced that "negotiations on association between Ukraine and the EU shall be completed before the end of this year regardless of different political processes."
"The European Parliament is convinced that domestic political affairs shall not be an obstacle to concluding the Agreement on Association, free trade zone and liberalization of visa regime", V. Vecherko declared.
He stated that despite intensive dialogue between Ukraine and the EU, there is a great number of stereotypes both in Ukraine and in the European Union countries, and they should be debunked by cooperation. "Eastern regions of Ukraine still have negative stereotype of EU since after the initiative of EU, nearly 90 mines were closed in Donbas region at once. The stereotype can be changed only with the help of specific actions directed at improvement of the social-economic situation in the region," the People´s Deputy believes.
"Unfortunately, Donbas region is the least covered by Ukraine-EU cooperation programs and effective instruments of assistance to Ukraine on the part of the EU", V. Vecherko regretted. However, he is convinced that development of this region in line with the EU standards is important considering that "it is the most remote region from the EU borders in our state and it has no opportunity to gain experience from the interregional cooperation."
D. Hübner focused on the changes in the new version of the Neighborhood Policy that opens opportunities for practical cooperation. The Parties expressed an intention to exert efforts to cooperate on the project.
During the meeting, the Parties discussed rapid liberalization of visa policy to give the Ukrainian citizens an opportunity to visit the EU states. "This issue is especially important for the eastern regions, where people are biased against the European Union", V. Vecherko declared.
The participants of the meeting are convinced that Ukraine and the EU will make a common cause to overcome the existing stereotypes and boost the development of bilateral relations.