All news

Ukraine, EU practically agree on free trade zone, association agreements – Azarov

Ukraine insists on confirming the prospect of its EU membership in the Association Agreement, and the EU suggests a different wording, the premier said

KIEV, November 11 (Itar-Tass) —— Ukraine and the European Union have practically agreed on the free trade zone and association agreements, Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said on Friday.

“Experts ended negotiations on the free trade zone and association in Brussels today. Practically all the disputable issues are settled and a compromise edition of the document is drafted,” the premier wrote in the Facebook.

“There is one item left in the Association Agreement, which requires either a compromise or a political decision,” the premier said.

Ukraine insists on confirming the prospect of its EU membership in the Association Agreement, and the EU suggests a different wording, the premier said. “However, we think that the Association Agreement with the EU is a historically important document, which may last for ten to fifteen years,” he said.

“In fact, this document requires great efforts of Ukraine in the modernization of its economy, social sector, law enforcement and justice. In other words, some time later Ukraine must meet EU standards,” the premier said. “The question is why a country located in the center of Europe and meeting every standard of the EU cannot have the European prospect. This is our argument,” he said.

Kiev expects the European partners to understand its reasons, Azarov concluded.