The EU countries will reach common ground regarding Ukraine, says Mariia Yurikova

“The EU policy is based on common foreign and defense policy. I am certain there will be a common ground,” she said in response to the question whether the EU will have common ground after this Thursday’s decision of the Ukrainian government regarding the EU association.

At the same time, Mariia Yurikova mentioned that the differences in interests will result in different attitude to Ukraine of certain member countries. “These are based on the historical connections, economic interests, and geographic location of different EU member countries.

It is absolutely natural that the countries sharing a border with Ukraine are more focused on furthering closer relations with your country,” she explained.

Nevertheless, the deputy head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine underscored that despite the slight differences in the interests of its member countries, the EU will reach common ground regarding the “important” Ukraine. “I am certain that common ground will be reached in relation to Ukraine, because it is an important partner for the EU,” she said.

Ms Yurikova additionally pointed out that the EU keeps its obligations in relation to Ukraine. “We are committed to the obligations we assumed in relation to Ukraine,” she said.

FOR REFERENCE:

Youth Kyiv Security Forum (Youth KSF) is an initiative of the Open Ukraine Foundation intended to create a site for young experts from various countries to discuss relevant issues of international relations and Ukraine’s foreign policy. The main goal of the Forum is to strengthen the role of the new generation of experts and improve their capability to participate in the process of political analysis and development. The Youth Forum is held in the partnership with the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (project of the Marshall Fund of the US) and the NATO Information and Documentation Centre in Ukraine.

More information on the project is available at: http://ksf.openukraine.org/

The Open Ukraine Foundation is an international non-profit Foundation established by Arsenii Yatseniuk to strengthen public democracy and promote the prestige of Ukraine in the world. The Foundation is advancing towards its goals by implementing its key programs: International Dialogue, Cultural Horizons, and Young Leaders. The Foundation is an organization of a large number of benefactors, gathering people who care about Ukraine’s authority and future.

More details about the Foundation are available at: http://openukraine.org