THE EU-UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE

JOINT COMMUNIQUE

by Vadym HALAICHUK  and Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI, 
Co-Chairs of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, 
following the informal bureau meeting held on 1 October 2020.

The Bureau of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee held an online informal meeting on 1 October 2020, few days ahead of the upcoming 22nd EU-Ukraine bilateral summit. 
We held a very open exchange on the expectations and priorities of the upcoming bilateral summit that should produce substantial deliverables and firmly anchor Ukraine’s reform efforts in its path towards further European integration. Ukraine should receive adequate support and incentives to pursue an ambitious and credible reform agenda and its implementation. We share the belief that EU assistance should be used and recalibrated to address the longer-term social and economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic. 
We also exchanged views on the state of play of reforms and ongoing legislative work in the Verkhovna Rada, including in the field of electronic communications, energy markets and the European Green Deal, as well as the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts. 
We reiterate our joined resolve to uphold international law and the principle of territorial integrity and discussed the recent proposal announced by President Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly regarding the creation of an international Crimean platform for the de-occupation of the peninsula.
We discussed ongoing developments in our shared neighbourhood, notably the situation in Belarus and the ongoing armed conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. 
We also held a frank exchange on the forthcoming local and regional elections in Ukraine as they constitute a significant step for Ukraine’s ongoing democratisation and decentralisation reform. 
We underline our shared conviction regarding the substantial value added of our discussions and cooperation and the parliamentary dimension of the Association Agreement. We remain fully committed to continuing the activities of the Parliamentary Association Committee by digital means and videoconferencing even if we acknowledge that they cannot fully substitute our regular face-to-face personal contacts.

For further information: 
Secretariat of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine PAC: + 32 2 284 31 464, D-UA@europarl.europa.eu