The presidents of Ukraine, the Council of Europe and the European Commission issued a joint statement before the start of the provisional application of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement.
“We welcome the launch of the provisional application of important parts of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement as of 1 November 2014… The Association Agreement will be a key instrument for carrying out the much-needed reforms in Ukraine in the years to come, underpinned by the EU’s support. The provisional application will cover important areas such as the rule of law, the fight against crime and corruption as well as intensified sectorial cooperation,” reads a statement posted on the president’s Web site on Friday.
The parties also welcomed the extension of the EU autonomous trade preferences for Ukraine until the end of 2015 and reaffirm the importance of adequate preparations for the provisional application of the trade provisions of the Agreement as of January 1, 2016.
“We look forward to swift finalization of the process of ratification of the Association Agreement by all the EU Member States in accordance with their national procedures,” the statement reads.
The Agreement will contribute to increased prosperity and stability on our continent and create new opportunities for regional cooperation between Ukraine and its neighbors, the parties said.
“The EU is committed to supporting Ukraine in its path towards a modern European democracy. The Association Agreement does not constitute the final goal in EU-Ukraine cooperation,” the document stressed.
According to the statement, the inaugural meeting of the Association Council, which will define priorities and launch the monitoring of the implementation of the Agreement, will be held before the end of the year.
