Slovakia is confident that the Netherlands will not block Ukraine's association with the EU
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, who presides in the European Union, Miroslav Lajčák, expressed confidence that the Netherlands will not block the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. He made this statement during the hearings of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Radio Svoboda reports.
"We should respect the results of the referendum. But I’m sure that the Dutch government will find a solution that while respecting the referendum results at the same time will not inhibit the process of forming the political association and economic integration between the European Union and Ukraine," the Minister stated referring to the referendum held in the Netherlands on 6 April.
As for the prospects of visa-free access for the citizens of Ukraine and Georgia Lajčák said, "Georgia and Ukraine fulfilled their obligations and it was clearly confirmed by the European Commission. Now it’s time for us to do our job, and this means to provide a visa-free policy."
As was reported, the Government of the Netherlands wants to modify some provisions of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including a clause that explicitly excludes Ukraine’s EU membership.
Meanwhile, EU-member countries do not support the amending of the Association Agreement. Last week, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called on the Government of the Netherlands to make a responsible decision on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.