BRUSSELS, December 7. /TASS/. The free trade zone between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine will temporarily come into force from January 1, 2016, the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said after the meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council on Monday.

The EU-Ukraine free trade zone will temporarily come into force from January 1, she said, adding that the move will confirm adherence to political backing to Ukraine and the reform process in the country.

At the same time, Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said the European Commission (EC) was ready to discuss complications that may arise when the agreement comes into force, with all sides, adding though that the EC has already provided 55 mln euro to Ukraine for adjustment of small and medium sized enterprises to the shift to free trade.

Earlier Ukraine’s media reported that Kiev has repeatedly asked the European Union for financial aid for easing negative consequences for the economy from the shift to free trade with the EU.