Good evening,
As this is the first time I
speak with you after those appointments, let me extend my
congratulations to my good friend Donald Tusk and to Federica Mogherini
on their appointments. I know they are both deeply committed Europeans
and I am sure that, together with Jean-Claude Juncker, they will make a
great team and they will work actively on European priorities.
And job creation, based on
growth, is obviously at the centre of our priorities. It's important
that Heads of State & Government will discuss employment, especially
youth employment, in October in Italy, building on previous meetings in
Berlin and Paris.
The European Commission will
ensure a smooth transition between this and the next College of
Commissioners. The next Commission will present its orientations on
economic matters this autumn. I'm sure that the October European Council
will feed the discussion so that the European Council can take
important decisions in December.
Obviously, the discussions
tonight have been focused on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and I
will limit my comments to that, of course, supporting everything the
President of the European Council just said on other important topics as
well.
There was, around the table, unity that if Russia continues to escalate the crisis it will come with a high cost.
Like last time, when we
discussed this issue at the European Council I can assure you the
Commission will be quick to deliver further proposals for restrictive
measures, as the European Council has unanimously requested us to
present.
But sanctions or restrictive
measures are not an end in themselves. They are instruments to show to
the Russian leadership that in the 21st
century, the current behaviour is not acceptable, and that we urge them
to come to reason, and to work constructively with the European Union
and of course also with Ukraine. Frankly it makes no sense to have this
kind of conflict or kind of new Cold War. I made this point extremely
clearly once again to President Putin just yesterday...
The contrast is too strong
between the repeated commitments to political dialogue and the dramatic
reality on the ground. There can be no military solution to this crisis.
It's time for everyone to get down to the business of peace-making. It
is not too late, but time is quickly running out.
Only with this path to peace can
we credibly address the issues of concern. The Commission has worked
tirelessly to de-escalate the situation and achieve negotiated solutions
by mediating talks between Russia and Ukraine on energy and trade. On
energy, there needs to be a solution that guarantees the security of
supply for both Ukraine and Europe. On trade, we are ready to address
pragmatically possible issues arising from the implementation of the
DCFTA that is part, as you know, of the Association Agreement.
But in this European Council
also after listening to President Poroshenko I can tell you that the
leaders were sending a clear message that they stand behind the
Ukrainian people and their right to decide their own future.
Our support is already making a
tangible difference. The unilateral trade measures the Commission
proposed in April have increased Ukrainian exports to the European Union
by 14% since then. We have disbursed 600 million euros in
macro-financial assistance and 250 million euros in budgetary support.
And we stand ready to support Ukraine further.
Within the European Union, we
are giving the necessary support to European food producers to mitigate
the consequences of Russian retaliatory measures.
Let me finish with a word on the
humanitarian situation. The most vulnerable need to be protected. Aid
needs to be delivered in coordination with the authorities and under the
auspices of the international humanitarian organisations. The
Commission has pledged 2.5 million euros and continues to support the
activities of the Ukrainian authorities.
Thank you for your attention.
