Esta es la versión HTML de un fichero adjunto a una solicitud de acceso a la información 'Decision on the association agreement with Ukraine'.


 
 
European Council 
 
 
 
Brussels, 15 December 2016 
 
 
 
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European Council Conclusions on Ukraine (15 December 2016) 
 

The European Council reconfirms its commitment to international law and the territorial integrity of 
Ukraine as well as the conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including the 
establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The aim of association agreements is 
to support partner countries on their path to becoming stable and prosperous democracies, and to 
reflect the strategic and geopolitical importance the European Union attaches to the regional 
context.  Therefore, completing the ratification process remains a crucial EU objective. 
After having carefully noted the outcome of the Dutch referendum on 6 April 2016 on the bill 
approving the Association Agreement and the concerns expressed prior to the referendum as 
conveyed by the Dutch Prime Minister, the European Council takes note of a Decision of the Heads 
of State or Government of the 28 Member States of the European Union, meeting within the 
European Council (Annex), which addresses these concerns in full conformity with the Association 
Agreement and the EU treaties. 
 
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  EN 

 
The European Council notes that the Decision set out in the Annex is legally binding on the 
28 Member States of the European Union, and may be amended or repealed only by common 
accord of their Heads of State or Government. It will take effect once the Kingdom of the 
Netherlands has ratified the agreement and the Union has concluded it. Should this not be the case, 
the Decision will cease to exist. 
The European Council welcomes the results of the EU-Ukraine Summit on 24 November 2016 and 
stresses the Union's continued resolve to deepen and strengthen its relationship with Ukraine in the 
face of current challenges. It recognizes Ukraine's achievements in implementing reforms to meet 
European standards and the fact that it has met the conditions for a visa-free regime with the Union. 
Further to the adoption of a robust suspension mechanism, the co-legislators are invited to complete 
the procedure leading to the lifting of visa requirements for Ukraine and Georgia. 
 
 
 
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  EN 

ANNEX 
 
Decision of the Heads of State or Government of the 28 Member States of the European 
Union, meeting within the European Council, on the Association Agreement between the 
European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of 
the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part 
 
The Heads of State or Government of the 28 Member States of the European Union, whose 
governments are signatories of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the 
European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the 
other part ('the Agreement'), 
Taking note of the outcome of the Dutch referendum on 6 April 2016 on the bill approving the EU-
Ukraine Association Agreement and of the concerns expressed prior to the referendum as conveyed 
by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 
Desiring to address those concerns in full conformity with the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement 
and the EU treaties, and in line with the EU’s goal of deepening relations with Ukraine, 
Having regard to the conclusions of the European Council of 15 December 2016, 
Have decided to adopt the following, as their common understanding, which is to take effect once 
the Kingdom of the Netherlands has ratified the Agreement and the European Union has concluded 
it: 

While aiming to establish a close and lasting relationship between the parties to the Agreement 
based on common values, the Agreement does not confer on Ukraine the status of a candidate 
country for accession to the Union, nor does it constitute a commitment to confer such status to 
Ukraine in the future. 
 
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The Agreement reaffirms cooperation with Ukraine in the fields of security, notably with regard to 
conflict prevention, crisis management and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It 
does not contain an obligation for the Union or its Member States to provide collective security 
guarantees or other military aid or assistance to Ukraine. 

While setting out the objective of enhancing the mobility of citizens, the Agreement does not grant 
to Ukrainian nationals or Union citizens, respectively, the right to reside and work freely within the 
territory of the Member States or Ukraine. The Agreement does not affect the right of Member 
States to determine volumes of admission of Ukrainian nationals to their territory in order to seek 
work, whether employed or self-employed. 

The Agreement reiterates the commitment of the Union to support the reform process in Ukraine. 
The Agreement does not require additional financial support by the Member States to Ukraine, nor 
does it change each Member State’s exclusive right to determine the nature and volume of its 
bilateral financial support. 

The fight against corruption is central to enhancing the relationship between the Parties to the 
Agreement. Under the Agreement the Parties will cooperate in combating and preventing corruption 
both in the private and public sector. Cooperation between the Parties related to the rule of law is 
aimed in particular at strengthening the judiciary, improving its efficiency, safeguarding its 
independence and impartiality, and combating corruption. 
 
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Respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for the 
principle of the rule of law, including as referred to under E, are essential elements of the 
Agreement. The Parties are required to fulfil their obligations under the Agreement, the 
implementation and enforcement of which will be monitored. In accordance with Article 478 of the 
Agreement, each Party may take appropriate measures in case of non-fulfilment of obligations. In 
the selection of appropriate measures, priority will be given to those which least disturb the 
functioning of the Agreement. These measures may, as a last resort, include the suspension of any 
rights or obligations provided under the provisions of the Agreement. 
 
 
 
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