Ukraine, EU continue preparations for signing AA

Continued dialogue between the Ukrainian government and the European Union will allow to perform the task of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and sign the association agreement with the EU in the foreseeable future. This was discussed in Brussels by EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Füle and First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Arbuzov.

"We agreed today to prepare a roadmap for the implementation of the Association Agreement, and to promote and support Ukraine in creating the necessary conditions for reaching the agreement with the IMF. Third, to benefit from existing bilateral consultations to study all issues related to the implementation of the Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement," Füle said.

"The Ukrainian government continue talks with the leadership of the EU on eliminating problematic issues in the way of implementation of the Association Agreement and the EU-Ukraine FTA agreement. We are grateful for the frank and productive dialogue, which was held today with Commissioner Stefan Füle. I am sure that our joint work will end with full mutual understanding, and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will fulfill the task of the President of Ukraine to create conditions for the signing of the Association Agreement in the foreseeable future," Arbuzov said.

First Vice Prime Minister said that the EU confirmed the door to the European Union for our country remained open and confirmed the immutability of Ukraine's European choice.

He said that during the talks with Commissioner Füle, they also touched upon the introduction of mechanisms to minimize the economic risks for Ukraine and development of the document to define the steps of Ukraine on the eve of signing the AA, and after its implementation.

"I want to reassure the Ukrainian people that negotiations are continuing and our country will definitely come to the historical moment of signing of the Association Agreement with the EU, taking into account the strategic national interests," Arbuzov said.