Ukraine: the Association Agreement is a success for both Ukraine and the EU

An overwhelming majority of the European Parliament expressed its consent to ratify the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). The vote took place today in Strasbourg, in parallel with the ratification of the AA/DCFTA by the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) in Kiev.

"Today's ratification is a milestone in EU-Ukraine relations, an important and symbolic step showing the commitment of both sides for a successful implementation", said Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Foreign Affairs and standing Rapporteur on Ukraine in the European Parliament.

"The ratification of the Association Agreement is a success for both Ukraine and the European Union. Today’s vote on the ratification, simultaneously in two European cities, Kiev and Strasbourg, voted by two democratically-elected parliaments - the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the European Parliament, the highest democratically-elected legislative body of the European Union - is a strong symbolic message to the Ukrainian society and proof of the sharing of common European values and a European destiny. This gesture is even more necessary today in the face of the increasing Russian pressure, invasion and warfare directed against Ukraine", he added.

"Russia aims to undermine and eventually stop this Agreement coming into force. Any delay of the provisional implementation of the EU-Ukraine DCFTA could put a fully-fledged EU-Ukraine Association Agreement at risk. The coming months should be used by the Ukrainian authorities to tackle the necessary modernisation and transformation reforms with a view to advancing the AA agenda. This should be done in parallel with efforts made to sustain the territorial integrity and unity of Ukraine. At the same time, the European Union ought to increase its determination to enhance and defend its own Neighbourhood Policy and counteract Russia, by further isolating it on the international scene in order to raise the price tag for conducting rogue policies", he said.

"The Association Agreement is not the definitive goal of our relations. Ukraine and the European Union have a common future in front of them and this future must be protected from external Russian pressure in order for it to become reality", Saryusz-Wolski concluded.