Eu Association Agreement With Ukraine

The full association agreement was ratified by the Ukrainian and European parliaments on 16 September. The agreement has been ratified to date by six EU member states, but the full ratification process could take another two years. That is why, and to help Ukraine during its many crises, the EU unilaterally abolished tariffs on 95% of Ukrainian products for duty-free access under the CCFTA in April. It intends to maintain this policy until 1 January 2016, when the DCFTA will come into force through a procedure called `provisional application`, regardless of the state of ratification by EU Member States. Strengthening relations between the EU and Ukraine is of strategic importance to both sides, both politically and economically, as the country and the fact that the EU is already one of Ukraine`s main trading partners is important. To achieve this goal, the partnership and cooperation regime should be replaced by an association regime that joins both parties. Negotiations for a pioneering association agreement (AA), the first with an Eastern Partnership country, have been completed. However, its final signature depends on the implementation of specific concepts on the part of Ukraine, linked to the progress of internal reforms of the country`s political, economic and legal system. The AA becomes the legal framework for political association and economic integration between the parties. The agreement is based on a comprehensive and comprehensive free trade area (ACFTA), the creation of which is expected to contribute to Ukraine`s economic modernisation and integration into the EU internal market, including through the adoption of the EU`s trade acquis. The aim of this document is to examine the importance of A.A.

and, in particular, the rules for liberalising bilateral trade, the defined implementation mechanisms and issues related to the prospect of Ukraine`s accession to the EU. Important parts of the agreement will be implemented on an interim basis from 1 September 2014.