PLEASE allow us the opportunity to inform your readers of the European Union’s actions towards finding a comprehensive solution to the ongoing crisis affecting our neighbour and partner, Ukraine. The EU has worked relentlessly over the past weeks, at political, diplomatic and technical assistance levels, with an overall goal of achieving a solution to the crisis in Ukraine that respects its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, as well as international law.

The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, signed on 27 June, strengthens political and economic ties and should eventually bring greater stability and prosperity to the European continent. Furthermore, the EU has undertaken a number of specific measures to assist Ukraine, which includes a series of economic and financial proposals of approximately €11 billion as part of international efforts in support of Ukraine’s economic and political reforms. The EU has also established a number of measures to support Ukraine’s security sector, including an EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform and a €10 million assistance package to OSCE programmes in Ukraine. On 12 August the European Commission also announced the provision of a further €2.5 million of humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable people affected by the fighting in eastern Ukraine.
At the same time, the EU has been very clear that actions by the Russian Federation in violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability and security are unacceptable and have consequences. The EU has condemned the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia and has adapted trade and investment restrictions. On 30 August, the European Council condemned the increasing inflows of fighters and weapons from the territory of the Russian Federation into Eastern Ukraine, as well as the aggression by Russian armed forces on Ukrainian soil. It calls upon the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw all its military assets and forces from Ukraine.
The EU continues to call on Russia to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Ukraine instead of isolating itself further diplomatically and economically. Sanctions imposed on Russia are intended to dissuade from further actions against Ukraine’s interests and to help bring about a sustainable political solution. The EU stands ready to take further significant steps in light of the evolution of the situation on the ground. The EU also remains ready to reverse such measures when Russia starts contributing actively and without ambiguities to finding a solution to the crisis. Europe continues to encourage all possible forms of dialogue with the Russian Federation and others with a view to finding a sustainable political solution.

DEREK LAMBE
Chargé d’affaires
European Union Delegation in Guyana

ANDREW AYRE
High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana
British High Commission