The corresponding conclusions of the EU Council were published on its website Thursday, following the completion of the official part of the EU summit.
"After having carefully noted the outcome of the Dutch referendum on 6 April 2016 on the bill approving the Association Agreement and the concerns expressed prior to the referendum as conveyed by the Dutch Prime Minister, the European Council takes note of a Decision of the Heads of State or Government of the 28 Member States of the European Union, meeting within the European Council (Annex), which addresses these concerns in full conformity with the Association Agreement and the EU treaties," the Conclusion reads.
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In the Annex, the leaders of the 28 member states, desiring to address concerns of the Netherlands, "in full conformity with the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and the EU treaties, and in line with the EU’s goal of deepening relations with Ukraine, having regard to the conclusions of the European Council of 15 December 2016, have decided:
1. While aiming to establish a close and lasting relationship between the parties to the Agreement based on common values, the Agreement does not confer on Ukraine the status of a candidate country for accession to the Union, nor does it constitute a commitment to confer such status to Ukraine in the future.
2. The Agreement reaffirms cooperation with Ukraine in the fields of security, notably with regard to conflict prevention, crisis management and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It does not contain an obligation for the Union or its Member States to provide collective security guarantees or other military aid or assistance to Ukraine.
3. While setting out the objective of enhancing the mobility of citizens, the Agreement does not grant to Ukrainian nationals or Union citizens, respectively, the right to reside and work freely within the territory of the Member States or Ukraine. The Agreement does not affect the right of Member States to determine volumes of admission of Ukrainian nationals to their territory in order to seek work, whether employed or self-employed.
4. The Agreement reiterates the commitment of the Union to support the reform process in Ukraine. The Agreement does not require additional financial support by the Member States to Ukraine, nor does it change each Member State’s exclusive right to determine the nature and volume of its bilateral financial support.
5. The fight against corruption is central to enhancing the relationship between the Parties to the Agreement. Under the Agreement the Parties will cooperate in combating and preventing corruption both in the private and public sector. Cooperation between the Parties related to the rule of law is aimed in particular at strengthening the judiciary, improving its efficiency, safeguarding its independence and impartiality, and combating corruption.
