You're reading: Ukraine sees Association Agreement as a tool to achieve EU membership – draft statement

 By ratifying the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, Ukraine emphasizes its choice in favor of future membership of the EU, in accordance with Article 49 of the EU Treaty, reads a draft resolution on the Verkhovna Rada statement on the European choice of Ukraine.

 “In this regard, Ukrainian parliamentarians note that the ratified Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU is seen by Ukraine as a tool of comprehensive preparations for achieving this goal,” reads the draft statement published on the official Web site of the Verkhovna Rada.

According to the parliament’s Web site, a respective draft resolution was registered in the Ukrainian parliament under No. 5076 on Monday. The document was initiated by Parliament Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov.

The document notes that the forthcoming ratification of the Association Agreement is the first step contributing to “further comprehensive reform of the country, in line with European standards and values.”

“We understand that this will be a hard road, but we see no alternative to our country,” reads the statement.

“At present, all branches of government demonstrate unity in the vision of Ukraine’s European prospects – and not least because of the factor of external pressure, frankly aimed at our country’s retreat from its fateful choice…. The aspiration for the highest degree of civilization development, which forms the basis of democracy and civil society, is an integral part of the strategic development of our country… The choice of the European future of Ukraine is decisive and final. Nobody will force our country to change the vector of movement on this road,” reads the statement.