KIEV, January 29. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko stated that in 2024, Ukraine would apply for membership in the European Union.

"In 2024, we will apply for EU membership, and I’m expecting a positive decision," Poroshenko stated on Tuesday during a forum under the name "From Kruty to Brussels. We Are Going Our Own Way" in Kiev, where he announced his intention to run for president in the elections planned for March 2019.

According to Poroshenko, Ukraine’s membership in the EU is necessary for Europe itself. "Without Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO, Europe is in danger. This is necessary not only for Ukraine, first and foremost, this is necessary for the EU and NATO," the Ukrainian leader stressed.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin stated that in the next few years, Ukraine would not be able to become an EU or NATO member state. In 2016, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said that Ukraine would not be able to form part of the EU and NATO "in the next 20-25 years".

Since the 2014 coup d’etat in Ukraine, the country has announced the course for Euro-Atlantic integration. Within this policy, on September 1, 2017, the Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement came into force, which facilitates gradual political and economic convergence between Ukraine and the EU. On January 1, 2016, the sides applied a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA).

Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko often makes statements concerning Ukraine’s prospects of EU membership. In order to increase these prospects, he introduced a bill to Ukraine’s parliament, Verknovna Rada, in November 2018, which established a firm course of EU and NATO integration. The parliament is expected to make a final decision on the bill, which was approved at first reading, in February 2019.