The EU Parliament adopted by a large majority a report on the state of EU-Russia relations stating that in the current international context the EU has no choice but to “critically re-assess” its relations with Russia.

The non-legislative report was adopted by 494 votes in favour (71%), 135 against (19%) and 69 abstentions (10%). Only the radical left / communists, eurosceptics and the nationalists opposed the final text.

Article written by Elias Götz, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Political Science and Government, Aarhus University under the title: ' It’s geopolitics, stupid: explaining Russia’s Ukraine policy’. The original article has been edited.

Article written by Elias Götz, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Political Science and Government, Aarhus University under the title: ' It’s geopolitics, stupid: explaining Russia’s Ukraine policy’. The original article has been edited.

The Ukrainian government needs to be effective and diligent in its efforts to reform the country, fight corruption, improve transparency and accountability, improve the rule of law and create the conditions for the return of economic growth and prosperity.

The Ukrainian government is focused on 5 priority areas:

 FDI Top Destinations in 2014

1. China : USD 75bn
2. Mexico : USD 33bn
3. Vietnam : USD 24bn
4. India : USD 23bn
5. Malaysia : USD 19bn
6. Brazil : USD 18bn
7. Egypt : USD 18bn
8. Indonesia : USD17bn
9. Angola : USD 16bn
10. United Arab Emirates : USD 13bn
11. Nigeria : USD11 bn
12. Saudi Arabia : USD 10bn
13. Panama : USD 8bn
14. Chile : USD 7bn
15. Peru : USD 6bn

Note :

In a move that caught both political analysts and Euromaidan activists off guard, Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko recently appointed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Governor of the Odessa region.

Saakashvili who served as Georgia's President from 2004 to 2013 is a polarizing figure. He is under criminal indictment in Georgia, accused of abusing his power using excessive force against demonstrators to quell protests in 2007. He also led Georgia into a devastating war with Russia in 2008, and has been outspoken in his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Back in December 2014, upon the initiative of MEP from Lithuania Petras Auštrevičius an informal group "Friends of European Ukraine " was created in the European Parliament. At its very first session the group already included 50 members from 18 EU member states, representing different political groups, including the socialists, liberals and conservatives.

The EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee (PCA) is a forum for Members of Ukrainian Parliament and the European Parliament to meet and exchange views. According to the provisions of the Association Agreement, the Committee may request relevant information regarding the implementation of the AA from the Association Council, which shall also inform the Committee about its decisions and recommendations. The PAC may also make recommendations to the Association Council.

1. Entrepreneurship

The Small Business Act (SBA) for Europe adopted in 2008 and updated in 2011 reflects the Commission's political will to recognize the central role of SMEs in the EU economy. The 21 million SMEs create 58% of the value-added, employ 87 million people and account for 85% of the net job creation. SMEs also have a central role in the Commission's overall reform strategy, Europe 2020 and its flagship initiatives, in particular on Industrial policy.