21 may 2010 12:50
EU hopes association agreement with Ukraine will be signed this year
The European Union hopes that an agreement on association with Ukraine, which will set up a comprehensive free trade area, will be signed this year, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said in a video address to Ukrainian citizens on the occasion of Europe Day in Kyiv on May 15.
"The EU and Ukraine are successfully working on the conclusion of the future Association Agreement which will also set up a deep and comprehensive Free Trade Area, if we are lucky there is hope to conclude it even this year," she said.
Ashton noted that such close political association and economic integration would "bring about practical benefits and new opportunities to our peoples, including the opening up of a market of about 500 million people for Ukrainian products."
UKRINFORM