EU/Ukraine Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

On 14 June 1994 the Council of Ministers adopted a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine. It replaces the Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 1989 between the European Community and the former Soviet Union (as far as the Ukraine is con...

On 14 June 1994 the Council of Ministers adopted a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine. It replaces the Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 1989 between the European Community and the former Soviet Union (as far as the Ukraine is concerned).

The Agreement underlines the importance of democratic values, respect for human rights and the principles of a market economy. It establishes the prospect of a future free trade area.

The Agreement covers the following areas:

- Trade in goods;
- Labour conditions
- Establishment and operation of companies;
- Services;
- Maritime transport;
- Payments and capital;
- Competition;
- Intellectual property;
- Economic cooperation.

Economic cooperation may be supported by technical assistance from the EU through the TACIS programme. This includes cooperation on:

- Industry;
- Mining and raw materials;
- Science and technology;
- Education and training;
- Agriculture and agro-industry;
- Energy;
- Civil nuclear sector;
- Environment;
- Transport;
- Space;
- Telecommunications;
- Regional development;
- Small and medium-sized enterprises;
- Information and communication;
- Drugs.

In 1993, the TACIS programme allocated ECU 30 million to its nuclear safety programme in the Ukraine. Through TACIS, the EU has completed a fire protection project for the training of Chernobyl personnel and studies for the design and construction of mobile installations for decontaminating the surroundings of the plant. A further project will transfer Western know-how on the decommissioning of reactors. The EU will also fund a study to explore ways of ensuring an ecologically safe enclosure for the damaged unit.