Agro Perspectiva

President: Ukraine and EU must efficiently coordinate actions for all parties to fulfill Minsk agreements

13.02.2015 11:06 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Ukraine and EU must efficiently coordinate actions for all the parties to fulfill and comply with the Minsk agreements, President Petro Poroshenko Press Office reports referring to the joint statement made by the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and the President of the European Council Donald Tusk in Brussels yesterday. «It is important for us to put pressure regarding the observance of the agreements on the ceasefire, liberation of all hostages, withdrawal of all foreign troops and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine. I am hopeful that we will achieve the results within the efficient coordination with our partners,» Poroshenko said. As to the report, the Ukrainian President took part in the session of the European Council at the level of the Heads of State and Government and held a series of meetings. Petro Poroshenko thanked Donald Tusk and EU leaders for an opportunity to deliver a speech and inform on the current situation in Ukraine and the results of negotiations in Minsk. Reportedly, Poroshenko emphasized that the negotiations in Minsk had been extremely difficult. According to him, the process of implementation of the given agreement will not be easy as well. Besides, Poroshenko reminded that Ukraine, unlike the other party, had been fulfilling the Minsk agreements signed in September responsibly. «That is why I came to Brussels to coordinate our future steps with the European partners, who demonstrated an attitude of partnership to Ukraine. I’d like to express gratitude to Donald Tusk and leaders of the countries for their joint support,» the President noted. The Head of State has a cautious optimism regarding the prospects of implementation of the given agreements. «If the Minsk memorandum is violated, it will lead to further tough measures from the European Commission and the United States,» he said. He reminded that the declaration had been signed by the Presidents of Ukraine, Russia and France, as well as by the Chancellor of Germany. Thus, it provides for personal responsibility for the implementation of the agreements. As to the report, Poroshenko also urged the EU to provide visa-free regime to Ukraine at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga. «It will be a very symbolic and important step for our cooperation. I am satisfied with the reaction of our partners,» the Ukrainian President noted. In his turn, President of the European Council Donald Tusk admitted that the EU Council would continue the discussion of the Ukrainian issue. He added: «Outstanding decisiveness of Ukrainians, their courage and readiness to sacrifice provide an example for those who respect freedom, democracy and the right of a nation to self-determination». The President of the European Council has expressed solidarity with Ukraine and support to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Reportedly, while commenting on the Minsk agreements, Donald Tusk called them a «real test for respect to the ceasefire regime». He also mentioned the importance of joint position of the EU and the United States regarding Ukraine.