“We may see a situation where we reach the point of no return. If the escalation of the conflict continues, this point of no-return can come. I believe it’s still not yet too late to find a political solution,” Barroso said following the talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
On Saturday, the European Council gathers in Brussels to appoint senior positions and discuss the situation in Ukraine.
Since mid-April, Kiev has been conducting a military operation against the southeastern regions of Ukraine that refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new government after a February coup.........http://en.ria.ru/politics/20140830/192484245/Political-Solution-to-Ukraine-Crisis-Still-Possible---Barroso.html
30/8/14
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- Statement by President Barroso following his meeting with President Poroshenko of Ukraine
European Commission, Statement, Brussels, 30 August 2014:
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,
Let me start by warmly welcoming
President Poroshenko to Brussels. We met this morning to exchange views
about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. We have discussed the latest
developments in the security and humanitarian situation in eastern
Ukraine, which have further increased our concern. And this afternoon
the European Council will also address these developments.
President Poroshenko's visit
today in Brussels is an important symbol of the European Union's
continuing support for Ukraine and our commitment to achieving a
political, negotiated solution to the conflict which respects Ukraine's
sovereignty, independence and unity.
This is our primary objective.
I have personally been engaging
intensively with both sides over the past weeks – as I have done
throughout this crisis. At my initiative, the EU was represented at the
Minsk meeting earlier this week. I have been in continuous contact with
Presidents Putin and Poroshenko, calling for a
political solution to the crisis, based on a ceasefire that also has
clear guarantees regarding border security and control.
And the Commission as a whole is
doing its utmost to help solve the conflict. We are doing it of course,
namely, in areas of our competence. Thanks to our efforts we will
resume trilateral talks on energy in the beginning of September, to
facilitate a solution to the gas dispute. We are also intensifying our
contacts on the implementation of the association agreement with Ukraine
(including the free trade agreement). And there will be a ministerial
meeting on this matter possible on the 12th of September.
- But, at the same time, the European Union has been very clear that all this needs to go hand in hand with a solution to the political and security problem. Unfortunately, this is not what we have witnessed in the past few days. In fact, the situation has worsened considerably. The opening of new fronts and the use of Russian regular forces is not acceptable and represents a grave transgression.
- Just yesterday, I had a very long and frank talk with President Putin over the phone. I had the opportunity to convey these messages to President Putin. I urged him to change course. No one's interest is served by new wars on our continent. No one's interest is served by confrontation. This is simply not the way that responsible, proud nations should behave in the 21st century.
Nobody is underestimating
Russia’s concerns. We are ready to listen to Russia's concerns. But
political differences need to be resolved through political means.
Russia should not underestimate the European Union’s will and resolve to
stand by its principles and values.
As the conflict moves into urban
areas, we need to avoid more civilian casualties. The humanitarian
situation needs to be addressed urgently. International assistance is
needed, but it must be done in coordination with the Ukrainian
authorities, in full respect of international humanitarian principles
but also in full respect of Ukraine's sovereignty.
Just this month, the Commission
pledged a further €2.5 million to assist the most vulnerable people
affected by the fighting, and we are ready to increase our support for
the Ukrainian-led and international humanitarian response efforts. Just
now, in a meeting with President Poroshenko, we have discussed some of
these issues and where and how we are going to deal with them in the
future.
We are also helping Ukraine to
cope with the economic effects of the crisis. In March, the European
Union agreed on an extraordinary assistance package which the European
Commission proposed for Ukraine.
More than half a billion euros
in loans and 250 million euros in grants have already been mobilised by
the European Commission as part of this package. Over one billion more
(in loans) could be released in the coming months and we are ready to
consider further financial assistance should additional needs be
identified by the IMF during its next review mission.
And unilateral trade measures
proposed by the European Commission in April have resulted in a 14%
increase in Ukrainian exports to the European Union in recent months.
This is an unprecedented boost of exports of Ukraine to the European
Union. This is also a way to compensate for some losses the Ukrainian
economy has already been feeling because of the conflict with Russia.
The Commission has also set up a
support group to ensure that the Ukrainian authorities have all the
assistance they need to carry out the political and economic reforms
necessary to stabilise the country.
This is of paramount importance.
While the security situation is the primary concern of the Ukrainian
authorities, the reform process, encompassing a broad national dialogue,
constitutional review and decentralisation is part and parcel of an
overall political solution. We expect the upcoming elections to help
accelerate such reforms.
Only a politically stable, economically viable Ukraine can ensure and consolidate its own independence.
Finally, we are ready to host a
donors' conference at the end of the year that includes reconstruction
of the eastern regions particularly affected.
The situation in Ukraine touches
both Europe and the wider international community. This is a matter of
grave and global concern.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I said just now to President
Poroshenko – and I said it also yesterday to President Putin – we are in
a very serious, I would say, dramatic situation. We may see a situation
where we reach the point of no return. If the escalation of the
conflict continues, this point of no return can come. I believe it's
still not yet too late to find a political solution. I believe we should
do everything we have in our capacity to avoid an escalation. That
would certainly be detrimental to the interests, first of all, of
Ukraine but certainly also of Russia and of Europe as a whole. We are
working based on the principles and we respect those principles at the
same time it is our duty to call the attention of all those involved to
the risks of further escalation.
President Poroshenko,
Two months ago, you said the
signature of the association agreement was "one of the most important
days since the independence of Ukraine". We have not forgotten this, and
we thank you for your clear and principled position.
The European Union stands for
peace and democracy and I want to encourage you to do everything in your
power to bring peace back to the region.
I want to conclude now by saying
that it was a very good occasion to discuss, in depth, these issues
with President Poroshenko. And of course that we are going to keep in
contact over the next days and weeks, and I am very happy that today, he
has also the opportunity to address the European Council.
President Poroshenko, you have the floor."
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-265_en.htm?locale=en
30/8/14
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