The decision by the European Union (EU) General Affairs Council to delay the implementation of its free trade area (FTA) agreement with Ukraine completes the implementation of the Brussels agreements, according to Ukraine's Foreign Ministry.
“Effectively, the decision by the EU council completes the process of implementation of the three-party Brussels agreements of Sept. 12. Ukraine does not envisage any further decisions over this matter,” Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis said at a briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
He stressed that these agreements do not envisage any amendments to the text of the association agreement.
“An important political signal was also the joint statement by the EU Council and the European Commission which clearly reflects the EU position with respect to further steps over implementation of the association agreement,” the spokesperson said.
On Monday, the EU General Affairs Council postponed by one year (until Jan. 1, 2016) the implementation of its association agreement with Ukraine regarding the creation of a free trade area. The decision was a result of three-party consultations held by Ukraine, Russia and the EU on Sept. 12, 2014.
The parties agreed to continue consultations to address Russia’s concerns over the creation of the EU-Ukraine FTA and progress on these issues will be assessed during trilateral ministerial meetings.
