On July 15, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanyshyna joined the discussion on the report of the progress of Ukraine's implementation of European norms in 2014-2019 and the strategic priorities of the Government of Ukraine towards political association and Ukraine-EU economic integration.

"Ukraine and the EU demonstrate a rather high level of political dialogue. There is an understanding that Ukraine is advancing well through reforms. We are forming a Roadmap with more than 60 European integration laws, which are a priority for adoption by Parliament this fall. This is tremendous work, but I assure you: Ukraine is legally and technically geared up to become part of the European system, that is Ukraine will definitely become an EU member - it's only a matter of time," said Olha Stefanyshyna.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the Agreement allows for a comprehensive review of the achievement of goals in 2021 in order to consolidate the achievements and formulate updated priorities. All the processes in the EU and in Ukraine are underway, the EU legislation is changing. These changes are significant in the process of assessing our achievements and setting new common goals and priorities.

"It is critical to ensure that in the process of preparation of the concept of updating the Agreement the needs of Ukrainian business should be taken into account, thereby allowing those to form the basis of the negotiating position on the Agreement. By the end of July this year, systematic consultations with Ukrainian entrepreneurs will begin to become the basis for the negotiations of Ukraine on the Agreement and part of the ambitious plans of Ukraine for the Summit due to be held in October this year," the Deputy Prime Minister added.

Olha Stefanyshyna reminded that the President and the Prime Minister had announced about a clear political position - the Ukraine-EU Summit in October should bring concrete results.

"A number of mutually beneficial initiatives are being prepared that will make Ukraine and the EU even closer. We have proposals for integration into the digital single market, Ukraine's accession to the network of electricity regulators. We look forward to signing the Common Aviation Area Agreement and launching a so-called "industrial visa-free" mission or ACAA following assessment of compliance of the national legislation. We have already discussed the relevant issues with the representatives of the European Commission in Brussels during my visit to the EU institutions last week," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Background

Report "Ukraine and the Association Agreement. Performance Monitoring for 2014-2019" prepared by the Ukrainian Center for European Policy with the support of the Representation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Ukraine and as part of the initiative to develop think tanks in Ukraine implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation in partnership with the Open Society Initiative for Europe (OSIFE) with the financial support of the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine. See the full record of the press conference at the link: bit.ly/3fwAKNw .