The application of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement will be effected in two stages in keeping with the amendments made by the Council of the EU on Sept. 29 to the timetable for provisional application of parts of the agreement, the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine said in a statement.
“Today’s decision delays until Jan. 1, 2016 the provisional application of the Agreement’s title on trade and related matters, including the establishment of a free trade area,” the statement reads.
“At the same time, this decision paves the way for the provisional application of much of the remainder of the Agreement to start on Nov. 1. This will concern important provisions on justice, freedom and security including the fight against crime and corruption; increased cooperation in a wide range of economic sectors based on the gradual approximation with the EU’s body of law, as well as financial cooperation,” the Delegation said.
The Council amended the timetable for provisional application of parts of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement following consultations with the Ukrainian side and “as part of the overall efforts towards a comprehensive peace process in Ukraine,” the Delegation said.
In parallel, proposals for extending the EU’s autonomous trade preferences for Ukraine until Dec. 31, 2015 have been presented.
The Association Agreement will deepen Ukraine’s political association and economic integration with the EU, including the establishment a deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA). It was signed by the EU, its member states and Ukraine on March 21 and June 27. The European Parliament gave its consent on September 16.
“The process of ratification in the EU’s member states, which is needed for its entry into force, is ongoing,” the Delegation said.
