The Netherlands referendum and failure to form a coalition government after the national election there have had a negative effect on the Ukraine-EU summit that took place this July in Kyiv. Then, due to reluctance of Netherlands to recognise Ukraine's European aspirations, with Germany's support, the signing of the final summit statement was jeopardised. President Poroshenko, besides insisting on a clear determination of future prospects for Ukraine's European integration, offered Brussels long-term partnership goals that include integration into the EU Customs, Energy, Digital Union, Common Aviation Area and the Schengen area. Eventually, Kyiv's offer was heard in Brussels. This October, thanks to Estonian Presidency in the EU and certain "wordplay" a compromise was developed, according to which the joint declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit will mention the European aspirations and European choice of partner states, which was noted in the signed Association Agreements with the EU.
Last week, the European Parliament passed a resolution, in which it called for creating "Eastern Partnership +" format, which is exactly what defines the future prospects of bilateral relations. The EU agreed to offer its three associated partners — Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova — prospects for sectoral integration into the EU according to their ambitions and under Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union. Yet, this will only be possible on condition of effective reform implementation.
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