Giving a European perspective to Ukraine, which shares common values with the European Union, will be a logical and expected step, and in order to achieve this goal, our country will work hard with all EU countries. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives following the 23rd Ukraine-European Union Summit.
The President stressed that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine and the European Union prefer a live dialogue, which is becoming more intensive and meaningful year by year.
"The 23rd Summit (Ukraine - EU - ed.) outlined our common achievements and common positions on the political association and integration of Ukraine into the EU internal market. We discussed in detail the progress in the implementation of the Association Agreement. It has become a driving force for European integration reforms and has taken our bilateral cooperation to a new level. Its ultimate goal is full integration into the European Union," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President noted that Ukraine expects courage and foresight from the leadership of the European Union and member states.
"This is a clear signal and their vision of Ukraine as an integral part of European space," the President stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine and the European Union have made significant progress since the previous Summit. In particular, the Agreement on the Common Aviation Area was signed today, the work on which lasted eight years. A number of other agreements were also signed.
And the Joint Statement, which was adopted as a result of today's Summit, reflects the ambition of the Ukraine-EU agenda, the Head of State said.
"This document contains strong signals in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity and independence, as well as Ukraine's integration into the political and economic space of the European Union," the President added.
Also, according to him, negotiations on renewal of customs tariffs and revision of the deep and comprehensive free trade area are underway.
"We are confident of moving towards an agreement on "industrial visa-free regime". We are planning to sign it at the next Ukraine-EU Summit," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State also said that a dialogue on the European green course has begun, and Ukraine is ready to move towards climate neutrality together with the EU.
In addition, the Summit participants discussed the fight against corruption and the completion of judicial reform in Ukraine.
"This is our unconditional priority. The process of de-oligarchization has started. We have recorded a positive assessment from the EU as regards the adopted legislation in the Joint Statement," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
The President also thanked the European Commission for allocating the second tranche of macro-financial assistance in the amount of 600 million euros in September this year.
"This is proof of the high appreciation of Ukraine's progress in political and economic reforms and an important support for macroeconomic stability," the Ukrainian President said.
President of the European Council Charles Michel noted that the integration of Ukraine and the European Union should be implemented in concrete steps. According to him, this will be facilitated by the agreements signed following the Summit.
He stressed that the European Union condemns the illegal annexation of Crimea and supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
"Our Joint Statement sets out the specific operational framework within which we can work together in the coming years and months, and allows us to speed up the rapprochement and communication between the European Union and Ukraine," said the President of the European Council.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stressed that the EU supports Ukraine on the path of reforms.
"We will continue to support Ukraine's reform efforts. This concerns the reform of the judiciary, the Constitutional Court, the fight against corruption and the reduction of the influence of the oligarchs," said Ursula von der Leyen.
