Andrej Pildegovich: In the process of European integration of Ukraine should cooperate with Georgia and Moldova

Ukraine should intensify cooperation with Georgia and Moldova towards its’ integration into the European community, Andrej Pildegovich, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, during the 8th Kyiv Security Forum organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

He noted that regional partnership in this process is very important and the European integration experience of the Baltic states can be a good proof of this statement. 

“I consider the partnership between Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, and even with other countries to be very important. Such partnerships are not anchors to your partnership with the EU, but they are more like additional strings that give you the opportunity to provide a higher level of attention of the EU to your region,” – said A. Pildehovich. According to him, the cross-border agreements with these countries in the context of free trade will be more efficient if the relations are accordingly established between the countries of the Eastern Partnership themselves.

However, the diplomat admitted that all countries of the Eastern Partnership are quite different. “If Ukraine wants to carry out the agenda with the EU bilaterally - it's your choice. But from our experience as of the Baltic countries, I can say that we succeeded due to the fact that we were partners of each other,” – he said.

Mr. Pildehovich also noted that Ukraine has support from European partners and the EU is ready for the implementation of the Association Agreement with Ukraine beginning January 1, 2016. He said that currently 20 out of 28 EU countries have ratified the document. Ukraine’s ‘friends club’ in the EU should be extended. Less formality and fanfare, less media exaltation, more purely practical, pragmatic issues. Roadmap for Ukraine's membership in the EU is a realistic option. This goal is achievable for Ukraine, but for this end it is necessary to fulfill all objectives, both politically and technically,”- said the representative of the Foreign Ministry of Latvia.

For your information:

The annual international event ‘Kyiv Security Forum’, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation in 2007 is a platform for discussion of the most pressing issues concerning the security in Europe and the Black Sea region. The Forum is aimed at promoting security cooperation between the European Union and the Black Sea Region, raising awareness of the development of security among key players and strengthening the role of independent and non-governmental actors in solving security problems in Europe.