German expert: Ukraine to approach to EU association in the year’s end

The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement is a broad documentary fixed prospect of integration, head of representative office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Ukraine Gabriele Baumann
told a press conference "The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement: reform guide", ForUm correspondent reports.

According to the expert, the agreement provides for a number of key areas of cooperation. "First, it is intensive participation in various EU programs. Second, it is cross-border cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy, including the conflict prevention and the military field," Baumann said.

In addition, she said, it is an approximation of Ukraine to the European standards in the field of law and interior policy through the promotion of a rule-of-law state and human rights, combating corruption, improving the protection of various data. "It also gives the creation of a deep and all-embracing free trade area, the establishment of sectoral economic cooperation in more than 30 areas, including agriculture, industry, energy and the protection of consumer rights," the expert said.

According to her, the translation of the Association Agreement and the final legal review requires a few months more. "At the end of 2012, Ukraine would be ready for signing at the official meeting with senior officials of the EU and the European Commission. Then, the process of ratification by the Parliaments of 27 member states and the European Parliament is to begin," the expert concluded.