In Ukraine for the first time on Monday, July 21, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet with the former Soviet republic's leaders to discuss energy supply, NATO, and Ukraine's future with the European Union. Merkel is meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko during a day of talks. According to German and Ukrainian diplomats, Merkel intends to discuss her view of Ukraine's future with NATO and the European Union, and to argue that Berlin's "go-slow" policy towards Kiev was not hostile. The German leader was likely to pitch to Yushchenko and Tymoshenko a plan to give Ukraine associate status with the European Union, while leaving NATO on the back burner, the Sehodnia newspaper reported.
Merkel is meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko during a day of talks.
According to German and Ukrainian diplomats, Merkel intends to discuss her view of Ukraine's future with NATO and the European Union, and to argue that Berlin's "go-slow" policy towards Kiev was not hostile.
The German leader was likely to pitch to Yushchenko and Tymoshenko a plan to give Ukraine associate status with the European Union, while leaving NATO on the back burner, the Sehodnia newspaper reported.
In Ukraine for the first time on Monday, July 21, German Chancellor Angela Merkel dampened the country's hopes for a quick path to EU membership. She did express support for an association agreement, however. During her short stay in Kyiv, the German chancellor said that Ukraine would likely sign a so-called Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) before the French EU presidency expires at the end of this year. The deal is expected to top the agenda of an EU-Ukraine summit taking place in September. While an SAA is an important step toward membership in the 27-member European Union, Merkel urged Ukrainians "not to confuse this with conditions for joining the EU," pointing out that the bloc's capacity for expansion was limited.
During her short stay in Kyiv, the German chancellor said that Ukraine would likely sign a so-called Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) before the French EU presidency expires at the end of this year.
The deal is expected to top the agenda of an EU-Ukraine summit taking place in September.
While an SAA is an important step toward membership in the 27-member European Union, Merkel urged Ukrainians "not to confuse this with conditions for joining the EU," pointing out that the bloc's capacity for expansion was limited.
