You're reading: Foreign Ministry: Ukraine addresses European Commission’s recommendations in report

The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has addressed the recommendations in the annual report of the European Commission and the European External Action Service on the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy by Ukraine in 2012, the ministry's Information Policy Department has said.

“The document deals with a wide range of issues on the intensive agenda of EU-Ukraine relations, which demonstrates a sustainable tendency towards the deepening and intensification of bilateral relations,” reads the ministry’s statement.

The Foreign Ministry also noted there was an objective assessment of the achievements in bilateral relations and some positive progress in the reform implementation process in Ukraine.

“A preliminary analysis of the report shows that the Ukrainian side has addressed the key recommendations given in the document, in particular in the tasks outlined in presidential decree No. 127 of March 12, 2013 on the priority tasks for Ukraine’s integration in the EU in 2013,” reads the ministry’s statement.

The Foreign Ministry also said that following the overall consideration of the document, proposals would be submitted for consideration to the relevant ministries and agencies of Ukraine for further discussion with joint organizations of Ukraine and the EU.

“It is very important to realize that the signing and implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement is the key to the fulfillment of many commentaries in the report, as the document will become an instrument for the radical modernization of all spheres of life in Ukraine in line with the EU standards,” reads the statement.

“In the light of the agreements reached at the 16th EU-Ukraine Summit in Brussels on February 25, Ukraine is taking effective steps towards the signing of the Association Agreement this autumn,” the ministry said.

It added that Ukraine and the EU have “a historic opportunity” to bring their relations to a new level and contribute to the further development of the Eastern Partnership initiative.