EU-Ukraine Association Agreement: beginning of provisional application
Provisional application of important parts of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement - negotiated between 2007 and 2012 and signed by Ukraine and the EU on 27 June 2014 - begins today, 1 November. The Association Agreement will be a key instrument for carrying out the much-needed reforms in Ukraine in the years to come, underpinned by the EU's support.
As of today, provisions in areas including the respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law; political dialogue and reform; justice, freedom and security; economic and financial cooperation will be provisionally applied. The inaugural meeting of the Association Council, which will define priorities and launch the monitoring of the implementation of the Agreement, will be held before the end of the year.
At the same time, the EU will continue the application of autonomous trade measures for the benefit of Ukraine until the end of 2015, granting Ukrainian exporters continued preferential access to EU markets without awaiting entry into force of the trade provisions under the association agreement. Provisional application of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) part of the Agreement has been delayed until 1 January 2016, as part of the overall efforts towards a comprehensive peace process in Ukraine, respecting its territorial integrity and right to decide on its own destiny.
The EU is committed to supporting Ukraine in its path towards a modern European democracy. The Association Agreement does not constitute the final goal in EU-Ukraine cooperation.
See also
Joint Statement by the Presidents of Ukraine, the European Council and the Commission on the beginning of the provisional application of the Association Agreement, 31 October 2014: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-349_en.htm
Extension of unilateral trade measures, 24 October 2014:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/145390.pdf
Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions, 20 October:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/145211.pdf
Joint Commission/Council statement on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, 29 September:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/144955.pdf
Joint Ministerial statement on implementation of EU-Ukraine AA/DCFTA, 12 September:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-276_en.htm
EU-Ukraine relations (factsheet):
http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140514_02_en.pdf
FAQ on Ukraine, the EU's Eastern Partnership and the Association Agreement
http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140612_01_en.pdf
European Commission support for Ukraine:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-279_en.htm
The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement (complete texts):
http://eeas.europa.eu/ukraine/assoagreement/assoagreement-2013_en.htm