The Association Council between the European Union and Ukraine held its 4th meeting on 8 December, reviewing the state of EU-Ukraine bilateral relations and taking stock of progress in the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
“We met for the first time since the entry into force of our Association Agreement and of visa free travel for Ukrainians to the EU. These two achievements show that by working closely together we can achieve really tangible and positive results for our citizens,” said Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
A joint statement by the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and the Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman was issued following the Association Council.
The Council addressed the economic situation and EU cooperation with Ukraine. It reviewed reforms in a number of areas, including finance, energy, health and education, and discussed bilateral trade and the implementation of the deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA).
The meeting also examined the reform process in Ukraine, as part of the political dialogue and cooperation, and discussed anti-corruption as well reforms of the judiciary.
In the margins of the Association Council, the EU and Ukraine signed:
- a financing agreement for the EU support programme to the east of Ukraine, a €50 million contribution to strengthen the local governance, economic recovery, community security and social cohesion in the government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions;
- a financing agreement to ease Ukraine's participation in the EU strategy for the Danube region and to allow for full integration into the Danube transnational programme to promote sustainable economic growth and cooperation in the Danube basin.
Through its EU4Business initiative, the aims to improve the business climate in Ukraine. It makes it easier for SMEs to get finance and provides training and targeted support for businesses. SMEs also get technical support to help them align with EU standards, increase exports and benefit from the free trade deal between Ukraine and EU.
EU relations with Ukraine (background information)
Factsheet on EU relations with Ukraine (EEAS)
EU delegation to Ukraine (EEAS)
Association Implementation Report