PARIS, Sept. 9 – The European Union on Tuesday offered Ukraine significantly increased political and economic ties, but fell short of clearly indicating the possibility of the country’s eventual membership in the bloc.

The EU agreed to start talks with Ukraine that may lead to visa-free travel for Ukrainians, and the parties also praised progress in on-going talks over a free-trade deal.

The EU also agreed to label the pact to be signed next year an “Association Agreement” - a wording that Kiev had insisted on - to suggest a possible further political integration.

“It was the maximum we could offer, but I think it was a
substantial step,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy, representing the EU, said at a press conference after the EU-Ukraine summit in Paris.

President Viktor Yushchenko, who attended the summit on behalf of Ukraine, said the name of the pact was symbolic as many Eastern European nations had also signed “association” agreements in 1990s before eventually joining the bloc.

“We are happy about such an ambition and such a character of the pact,” Yushchenko said. “We look with optimism at the achieved result and at the prospect of signing the pact in 2009. Probably in the second half of 2009.”

Sarkozy, suggesting the pact leaves the path for Ukraine’s potential future membership of the 27-member state bloc open, said: “This association accord does not close any avenues.”

Ukraine has been seeking closer political and economic ties with the EU and NATO, ever since Yushchenko, a pro-Western leader, has become the president in January 2005.

But the urgency of the pro-Western drive has accelerated last month, following an incursion by Russian troops into Georgia underscoring Moscow’s newly assertive foreign policy.

Many leaders in Europe fear that Ukraine may become the next target for Moscow, which has been seeking to restore its political influence that had crumbled since the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991.

Reflecting those concerns, the EU on Tuesday assured Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, a clear message to Moscow to stay away from encroaching on the country’s territory.

“In the eyes of Europe, [territorial integrity] is absolutely non-negotiable,” Sarkozy said at the press conference.

Ukrainian diplomats hoped the EU would include a phrase in the pact that clearly mentions the country’s “perspective” membership in the bloc. The diplomats hoped Moscow's military intervention in fellow EU and NATO hopeful Georgia would work in Ukraine’s favor.

Poland, the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - Sweden and the UK have supported Ukraine enlargement in the past.

But the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany are thought to have been blocking the "perspective" wording, amid public enlargement fatigue and German concerns over Russia relations.

But Yushchenko said the pact would still be a major step forward.

“We understand in what circumstances we are holding the dialog. These are not the best times to talk about this within the EU as well as taking into account the situation in the region,” Yushchenko said. “But we are patient and we much appreciate what we have reached today. This is an absolute success.” (tl/ez)