European Parliament adopts report on Ukraine-EU Association Agreement

On Thursday, February 11, the European Parliament adopted a report on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Ukraine, a draft of which was prepared by MEP Michael Gahler (EPP).

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, 526 MEPs voted in favor of the report, 79 against, and 71 abstained.

The document, which is prepared annually, contains important political messages and assessments both in relation to Ukraine’s progress in the implementation of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement and on problematic issues facing Ukraine, as well as the concern of the European side over some retreat of Ukraine in important reforms, in particular in judicial reform, the fight against corruption, and the rule of law.

In particular, the report confirms that the Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA) between the EU and Ukraine, is the cornerstone of the European Union’s relations with Ukraine based on political association and economic integration. 

This agreement constitutes a roadmap for reforms, whose full implementation should be considered as enabling a continuous rapprochement towards the Union, leading to a gradual integration into the Union’s internal market, and towards fully reaping the potential and benefits of the AA/DCFTA.

The document recognizes that Ukraine has a European perspective pursuant to Article 49 of the TEU and may apply to become a member of the Union provided that it adheres to all of the Copenhagen criteria and the principles of democracy, respects fundamental freedoms, human and minority rights, and upholds the rule of law.

The report recalls that the 22nd EU-Ukraine Summit acknowledged the European aspirations of Ukraine and welcomed its European choice. The European Parliament called on Ukraine to continue implementing key reforms in priority areas, such as the digital economy, energy, public health system and others, especially considering the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Ukrainian health system.

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