Ukraine met 81% of its commitments under the Association Agreement
In 2014-2024, Ukraine fulfilled 81% of its obligations under the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union. This is evidenced by the 2024 Association Agreement Implementation Report prepared by the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
In 11 of the 24 areas of the Association Agreement, the level of fulfilment of obligations reached more than 90%, namely: intellectual property - 98%, education and youth - 97%, statistics and information exchange - 96%, humanitarian policy - 94%, justice, freedom, security, human rights - 93%, public procurement - 92%, political dialogue, national security and defence - 91%, entrepreneurship - 91%, customs issues - 91%, taxation - 90%, public financial management - 90%.
In 2024, the customs sector became an absolute leader in fulfilling its obligations under the Association Agreement, with an increase of 30% over the year and a total of 91%. The second place goes to public health, with a 10% increase and an overall level of 88%. The third place goes to the financial sector: 6% and 74% respectively.
In 2014-2024, the main performers of the Agreement's obligations demonstrated the following indicators: the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine - 79% of the obligations fulfilled; the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with 74% of the obligations fulfilled; other government agencies - 62%.
"Our progress towards EU membership is a comprehensive and multi-level process. Thus, the screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU law is ongoing, with the screening of three out of six Clusters completed jointly with the European Commission. An Action Plan for the implementation of the European Commission's recommendations presented in the EU's 2024 Enlargement Package was also adopted. In parallel, Ukraine continues to pursue its commitments under the Association Agreement, which is one of the key guidelines for integration into the EU's internal market," commented Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice. "I am grateful for the coordinated teamwork of all those involved - ministries, the Parliament, and other authorities - in moving forward, including in the creation of this Report.”
Background information
The Association Agreement was signed in 2014, its political part in March and the economic part in June. It fully entered into force on 1 September 2017.
In fact, it is a roadmap for reforms and, simultaneously, a tool for bringing Ukraine closer to EU standards. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU under the Agreement provides a legal framework for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and partially labour between Ukraine and the EU, as well as regulatory approximation aimed at gradual integration of Ukraine's economy into the EU's common market.