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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Civil Society Signature Declaration - Association Agreement between Ukraine, on one side, and the EU, its Member States, on the other sideCIVIL SOCIETY SIGNATURE DECLARATION under the Association Agreement between Ukraine, on one side, and the EU, its Member States, on the other side (on the basis of the Agreement initialed by the EU and Ukraine in 2012) We, the representatives of the Civil Society of the European Union and Ukraine put our signatures under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement to demonstrate our deep commitment to its values and principles and our will to implement substantial reforms contained in the Agreement which aim to modernize Ukraine. We express our regret with the decision of the Ukrainian government to suspend the signature of the Agreement and see no acceptable rationale behind this decision. Taking into account the will of the Ukrainian society demonstrated by ongoing mass rallies (Euromaidans) to defend its European future, confirmed by various public opinion polls, and supporting the position expressed by the Ukrainian National Platform of EaP Civil Society Forum and Ukrainian civil society as a whole: We sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and commit ourselves to stimulate its implementation in all the areas, where civil society has its stakes, interests and concerns. Being committed to the spirit of ever-growing civil society cooperation (Chapter 26 of Agreement) we urge the establishment of the bilateral EU-Ukraine Civil Society Platform, envisaged by the Article 469 without delay. We invite all willing civil society actors to take part in a working group to prepare the establishment of the bilateral Platform regardless of the date of official signing of the Agreement. We will continue to encourage and put public pressure on the Ukrainian authorities to sign the Agreement as soon as possible. Signed in Vilnius on November 28, 2013 In UKR |
Project funded by the European Union
