Written question to the Commission on the topic of “Ukrainian crisis”

Written question to the Commission Nr. E-004129/2015
Article Nr. 130.

More than 6 000 people have lost their lives as a consequence of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. A large part of the civilian population — more than a million people — has been forced to abandon their homes. A humanitarian disaster is looming, and the economy lies in ruins — partly because of military expenditures. Inflation, tax burdens and utility prices have increased many times over, causing widespread poverty. Subsidies for school meals have been eliminated, and the subsidies for kindergarten meals have been cut. Funding for the social safety net and healthcare has been put on hold. The State has reinstated conscription and ordered mobilisation, which affects every military-aged male who has passed the physical examination (mobilisation affects all males between the ages of 25 and 60), regardless of nationality. Needless to say, this is causing social tension.

Stabilisation requires a complete ceasefire, but the implementation of immediate reforms is also necessary. The country needs constitutional and judicial reforms; the economy needs to be made functional again; decentralisation is needed, as is the implementation of the principle of subsidiarity; corruption must be eliminated; and human and civil rights, including minority and language rights, must be fully observed.

How is the European Commission aiding and overseeing the implementation of the planned reforms?

What aid programmes are being planned to rehabilitate the people living in the war zone and improve the living conditions of displaced persons?

Does the Commission have an action plan to check compliance with the criteria of the rule of law, including compliance with human and minority rights?
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Answer given by Vice-president of the Commission Federica Mogherini

The EU notes evidence of continued support given to the separatists by Russia, which underlines Russia's responsibility in destabilising the situation in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine is currently engaged in a broad and complex reform process aiming to respond to its citizens's aspirations for a democratic, secure and prosperous country.

The European Union has put in place an unprecedented package of measures in support of Ukraine's reform steps, including political support, financial, technical and economic assistance, and strategic advice. The EU maintains close coordination with the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the commitments undertaken within the Association Agreement framework are fully implemented. The EU-Ukraine Association Agenda is in this context the main political tool for the implementation and monitoring of the Association Agreement.

The EU has also joined the international efforts and stepped-up its humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The current joint financial contribution of the EU and Member States is over EUR 243.43 million in humanitarian aid and recovery assistance of which EUR 31.1 million from the EU humanitarian budget for 2015. The Commission is further looking into possibilities to increase its contribution to the international relief effort.

Respect for the rule of law and the human rights situation in Ukraine are regularly discussed with the Ukrainian authorities at various levels, including in the framework of the EU-Ukraine Justice, Liberty and Security Subcommittee.