Press release, 29 May 2015
Having met in the Seimas in Vilnius on 28–29 May 2015, the Assembly of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland, and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted, by common agreement, a declaration covering security, defence and cooperation issues. The document is mainly focused on Ukraine and its future prospects.
The document underlines that the Assembly met in Vilnius following the free and democratic elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 25 October 2014 that were recognised by the international community. The Declaration also notes that closer regional cooperation based on common values promotes peace and wellbeing in the region and is not directed against anybody.
Regarding the geopolitical situation in the region, the document notes the important work done so far by the parliaments, governments, other public institutions and non-governmental organisations of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland in helping Ukraine in a variety of areas. The Declaration states that the Assembly “condemns the acts of aggression of the Russian Federation, namely, the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the military aggression in Eastern Ukraine, that were made in violation of international law and have compromised security of the region and Europe at large; urges the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw all its forces and military assets from the territory of Ukraine, as well as any other armed groups and troops under Russia’s control, to restore the full and effective control of the Ukrainian–Russian border and to enable Ukraine to carry out the border control; believes that EU sanctions against Russia should be enhanced in case Russia continues ignoring proper implementation of the Minsk Agreements; requests immediate release of Nadiya Savchenko – Ukrainian member of Parliament and member of the PACE – as well as other citizens of Ukraine illegally detained in Russia, including Oleg Sentsov; pays tribute to those people in Russia who oppose aggressive policies of the government; and requests an investigation into the assassination of Boris Nemtsov”. The document also states that the Assembly supports Ukraine, its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and conveys solidarity with Ukraine, informed by shared understanding, interests, obligations, respect and values of the European Union and Ukraine.
The Declaration highlights the importance of the trilateral Lithuanian–Polish–Ukrainian Brigade LITPOLUKRBRIG for Ukraine’s effort to meet NATO standards, and hopes that the next NATO Summit to be held in Warsaw in 2016 will adopt decisions that will further strengthen the security of the Eastern flank of NATO member countries and assist Ukraine in its efforts to move closer to the Alliance.
The document also mentions the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga on 21–22 May 2015 and points out to the scope for contributing to the implementation of the decisions adopted by the EU Eastern Partnership Summit, “which reaffirm the commitments assumed in previous Summits and under bilateral agreements in acknowledgement of Ukraine’s aspirations and choice to pursue European integration; the Assembly sees opportunities for helping the country carry out reforms crucial for the successful implementation of the European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement, including the creation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area and the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan”.
The Declaration expresses its strong support for the strategic aspirations of Ukraine for European integration and points out that Ukraine as a European state has a European perspective and may apply for EU membership. The Assembly calls on national Parliaments of EU Member States to swiftly ratify the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement in solidarity with the Ukrainian nation in order to provide for the Agreement’s full entry into force as of 2016.
Follow the link to access the original text of the Declaration.
Jolanta Anskaitienė, Rimas Rudaitis
Public Relations Unit, Communications Department, tel. +370 5 239 6508, +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected].
