On the 21^st of November 2012 the First Annual conference of Ukrainian National platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum took part in Kyiv. UNENGO “MAMA-86” became a co-organizer of the event with support of International Renaissance Foundation.

Over 100 representatives of Ukrainian NGOs, trade unions, business associations, experts and analytical institutions took part in the event.

The event started with statement of the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle. In his letter, the European commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy stressed that civil society is the driving force and advocate for reforms necessary to speed up Ukraine’s political association and economic integration with the EU.

In his turn, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Valeriy Khoroshkovsky stressed that European integration is “not only our road map, it is also the motivation for the reforms that the government implements”. Among the priorities of work of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine he named the EU Association Agreement, free trade zone, visa liberalization with the EU and the institutional reform.

Valeriy Khoroshkovsky stressed that European integration is a top strategic priority for his government and determines the direction of reforms. He noted that Ukrainian law clearly defines the country’s EU integration policy. He said the EU Association Agreement may be signed in 2013, at the same time as the EU-Ukraine Summit. He also said that Ukraine joining the Customs Union with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is “outside the law” but that economic cooperation with these countries will continue. Khoroshkovsky also said that the part of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement on establishing a deep and comprehensive free trade zone should be put into effect as soon as possible.

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Jan Tombiński thanked for excellent work in the framework of Ukrainian national platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum:

«This was a Ukrainian model of platform, which spread in other countries, which is a significant contribution from you and from Igor Koghut to work of the Eastern Partnership Forum». Jan Tombiński emphasized that the signing of the Association Agreement was postponed because of the need to assess the parliamentary elections in Ukraine. He mentioned that it was very important for the EU that majority of people voted for those candidates whose programs included European integration. Among the main reasons he also named a problem of selective justice in Ukraine. He believes Ukraine should continue to reform its judicial system and address the issue of politicians that are in prison. The head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine stressed that for their actions politicians should bear political responsibility, but not criminal one. As Jan Tombiński noted, «Association Agreement is a legal obligation on both sides, which has to be not only signed but also implemented to come to the next step to European integration. That’s why European Union demands to see not only declaration but also implementation and structures which help us not to step back from the obligations…».

Co-chair of «EURONEST», head of parliamentary committee on European integration Borys Tarasyuk emphasized that, the internal Ukrainian circumstances rather than opponents of Ukraine abroad are a major obstacle to the signing of the Association Agreement, and called Ukrainian civil society for active position, critical analysis of the situation and consideration of the process of European integration in the context of the internal situation in the country.

National coordinator and coordinators of Work Groups presented their reports to participants in the Conference. Participants also approved the Statute of the Ukrainian National platform.

In the framework of the event meetings of five Work Groups took place, during which the priorities review of Road map was presented and the activity priorities of Work Groups for 2013 were approved and positions of the Ukrainian National platform on a number of topical issues were defined.

Besides, the coordinators of the Ukrainian National platform were re-elected.

Oleksandr Sushko (Institute of Euro-Atlantic cooperation) was elected the National coordinator.

The following coordinators of Work Groups were elected:

WG 1. “Democracy, human rights, good governance and stability” — Volodymyr Kupriy ( Charitable Fund "CCC Creative Center ").

WG 2. “Economic integration and convergence with EU policies” — Gennadiy Maksak (Polissya Foundation for International and Regional Studies)

WG 3. “Environment, climate change and energy security” — Equal number of votes gained Zoriana Mishchuk (Ukrainian National Environmental NGO "Mama-86") and Natalia Andrusevych (Resource & Analysis Center "Society and Environment").

WG 4. Contacts between people — Andriy Kohut (Center for Legal and Political studies “SIM”).

WG 5. “Social dialogue” — Rostyslav Dzyndza (ICF "Caritas Ukraine").

Participants in the Conference discussed resolution of the Conference and defined the position of Ukrainian participants at the Civil Society Forum of Eastern Partnership that will take place in Stockholm on the 29^th – 30^th of November, 2012.