UWC concerned with recent statement by G8 leaders

On 28 June 2013, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij issued a letter to high-ranking European officials expressing concern about the following problematic statement in the Lough Erne G8 Leaders’ Communiqu of 18 June 2013: “We also welcome the trade and economic integration of Russia with some of the countries in the region, which will be pursued in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/207771/Lough_Erne_2013_G8_Leaders_Communique.pdf

“This statement by G8 leaders appears as an endorsement of trade and economic integration of Russia with Ukraine. If that was indeed the case, this would be a clear contradiction of the existing EU policies supporting the signing of the already initialed EU-Ukraine Association Agreement,” stated Eugene Czolij.

Therefore, the UWC has called for a reconfirmation that the EU:

a) remains firmly committed to the signing of the already initialed EU-Ukraine Association Agreement during the 28-29 November 2013 Third Summit of the Eastern Partnership member countries in Vilnius, Lithuania;

b) does not “welcome” any movement that would see Ukraine obtaining membership in the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia; and

c) considers that Ukraine would not be able to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement if it became a member of the Customs Union.

A letter was also sent today by UWC President Eugene Czolij to President Viktor Yanukovych asking him to cease any movement by Ukraine toward membership in the Russia-dominated Customs Union, which is designed to return Ukraine to the Russian sphere of influence.