You're reading: EU-Ukraine free trade area set for launch next January – Eastern Partnership statement

RIGA - The free trade area between Ukraine and the European Union will launch from Jan. 1, 2016, according to a final statement issued by the attendees of the Eastern Partnership summit.

The summit attendees are looking forward to preliminary use of the deep and comprehensive FTA with Ukraine starting from Jan. 1, 2016, and the positive effects of its implementation, the statement said.

The document underscores the importance of constructive three-way consultations over implementation of the EU-Ukraine FTA and welcomes the pace of ratification of this agreement by the EU countries.

The summit attendees call on all EU countries to ratify the EU-Ukraine agreement to ensure it takes full effect.