26 March 2010, 15:21
The round table discussion was held jointly with the League of International Relations Students and Young Experts "DIPCORPUS" and the Program of Assistance to the Parliament of Ukraine.
The attendants of the meeting discussed diplomatic aspects of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union, and the role of the EU Embassy in the diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the EU. The attention was focused on the essence of the Lisbon Treaty, prospective changes in the organization of the foreign policy of the EU, current objectives and mission of the EU Embassy in Ukraine.
Borys Tarasiuk, Committee Chairman, delivered a welcoming address and stated that the Committee had always supported the initiatives of the non-governmental organizations aimed at the promotion of relations between Ukraine and the EU, Ukraine and NATO, and popularization of new aspects of activity and collaboration between Ukraine and the EU given the validity of the Lisbon Treaty.
As the Co-Chairman of the Committee on Parliamentary Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU, B.Tarasiuk appreciates that the European Parliament assumes more authorities, with the Lisbon Treaty coming into force. "Since the European Parliament is a pro-Ukrainian EU institution, we can not but admit the positive prospects of the EU activity under the Lisbon Treaty", he stressed.
The Committee Chairman stated that much depends on the fact whether Ukraine uses the advantages of the Lisbon Treaty and implements the reforms necessary for the Ukrainian people. He stated that "it does not suffice to use Article 49 of the Lisbon Treaty that authorizes any European State meeting the Copenhagen criteria for acquiring EU membership to access the EU; Ukraine shall implement extensive reforms to meet these criteria."
As to the introduction of the visa-free regime for Ukraine, B.Tarasiuk believes that "Ukraine does nothing to introduce this regime." To have positive changes in this direction, he deems necessary "to establish a state migration service, adopt the law on the personal data protection, ratify the corresponding Council of Europe conventions and issue e-passports."
The attendants of the round table discussion upheld the proposal to continue expert monitoring of the reforms in the European Union and the relations between Ukraine and the EU.