"We have strong concerns about the recent adoption of a decree by the Russian government proposing new trade barriers between Russia and Ukraine," Barroso told Putin in a letter released by the Commission.
"We consider that the application of this decree would contravene the agreed joint conclusions and the decision to delay the provisional application of the trade-related part of the Association Agreement," he added.
The letter was written in response to demands by Putin that the European Union amend the terms of the Association Agreement so as to ensure it will not damage Russian interests in a major market. In an effort to address those concerns, the EU agreed earlier this year to hold talks with Ukraine and Russia on the implementation - but not the terms - of the pact.................AFP.................http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/international/eu-s-barroso-warns-putin/1392392.html
1/10/14
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- EU ready to continue talks on effects of association pact with Ukraine — Barroso.....
BRUSSELS, October 1. /TASS/. The European Union is ready to continue further consultations on how to address the concerns raised by Russia over the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin released on Wednesday.
“We are ready to continue engaging on how to tackle the perceived negative impacts to the Russian economy resulting from the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area,” Barroso said.
Barroso emphasized however that the association pact remains a “bilateral agreement and that, in line with international law, any adaptations to it can only be made at the request of one of the parties and with the agreement of the other.”
The European Commission chief said he welcomes the agreement reached at the September 12 trilateral meeting in Brussels on postponing the application of the Deep and Comprehensive Free-Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with Ukraine by 15 months to December 31, 2015.
“I wish to recall that the joint conclusions reached at the Ministerial meeting state clearly that all these steps are part and parcel of a comprehensive peace process in Ukraine, respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as its right to decide on its destiny,” Barroso stressed.
Barroso said the proposal to “delay the provisional application of the DCFTA is linked to continuation of the CIS-FTA preferential regime,” in line with the joint ministerial statement.
He also expressed “strong concerns” about Russia’s move last month to adopt a decree proposing new trade barriers between Russia and Ukraine. “We consider that the application of this decree would contravene the agreed joint conclusions and the decision to delay the provisional application of the trade related part of the Association Agreement,” Barroso wrote in the letter.
Barroso said he hopes that “rapid and decisive progress” can be achieved in the trilateral gas talks of Russia, Ukraine and the European Union “towards a mutually acceptable interim solution for the upcoming winter period.”............................................http://en.itar-tass.com/world/752220
1/10/14
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- ***Letter from President Barroso to President Putin (European Commission, Statement Brussels, 1 October 2014):
The following letter was sent
today by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso,
to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich
Putin:
"Mr. President,
Following your letter of 17 September,
I would like to welcome the constructive engagement from all sides in
the trilateral ministerial meeting on the implementation of the
EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area on 12 September.
The conclusions reached at that meeting were endorsed by all participants and set out in a joint ministerial statement.
On the EU side, we have informed our
Member States of the outcome of the trilateral process, and we have now
obtained their approval for the necessary legislative steps.
I should emphasize that the proposal
to delay the provisional application of the DCFTA is linked to
continuation of the CIS-FTA preferential regime, as agreed in the joint
ministerial statement. In this context, we have strong concerns about
the recent adoption of a decree by the Russian government proposing new
trade barriers between Russia and Ukraine. We consider that the
application of this decree would contravene the agreed joint conclusions
and the decision to delay the provisional application of the trade
related part of the Association Agreement.
The joint ministerial statement also
foresees further consultations on how to address concerns raised by
Russia. We are ready to continue engaging on how to tackle the perceived
negative impacts to the Russian economy resulting from the
implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
I take however this opportunity to
underline that the Association Agreement remains a bilateral agreement
and that, in line with international law, any adaptations to it can only
be made at the request of one of the parties and with the agreement of
the other, according to the mechanisms foreseen in the text and the
respective internal procedures of the parties.
I wish to recall that the joint
conclusions reached at the Ministerial meeting state clearly that all
these steps are part and parcel of a comprehensive peace process in
Ukraine, respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as its
right to decide on its destiny.
Consequently, while all parties should
implement the conclusions as laid down in the joint ministerial
statement in good faith, the statement does not and cannot limit in any
way the sovereign prerogatives of Ukraine.
The European Commission remains fully
committed to contribute to a peaceful solution. In this respect we hope
that the recent positive steps embodied in the Minsk Protocol of 5
September and the ensuing memorandum from 19 September will be fully
implemented, including the monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian state
border and its verification by the OSCE, and the withdrawal of all
foreign armed formations and military equipment from the Ukrainian
territory.
We also expect that rapid and decisive
progress can be achieved in the trilateral gas talks towards a mutually
acceptable interim solution for the upcoming winter period, on the
basis of the compromise elements set out by the European Commission. It
is key that the resumption of energy deliveries to the citizens of
Ukraine is ensured and that the fulfilment of all contractual
obligations with customers in the EU is secured.
Yours faithfully,
José Manuel BARROSO"
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-294_en.htm?locale=en
1/10/14
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Related:
Russia warns to exclude Ukraine from CIS free trade zone
Ukrainian, European Parliaments Ratify Ukraine's EU Association Deal
European Parliament ratifies EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. (127 against and 35 abstentions)
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