Ukraine prepares for economic integration to EU

Ukraine plans to prepare agreement on free trade zone with the EU not earlier than in September of the current year. Foreign Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Ohryzko informed today in scope of information meeting of European business association.

He noted that Ukraine would start cooperation with the EU concerning creation of free trade zone after Ukraine’s joining the WTO.

“I do not think it will be too soon. I do not think we will manage to do it by September 2008. But within a year or 14 months we must reach agreement which will allow us to approach to economic integration,” he said.

As a reminder, on January 16, 2008 Ukraine and the EU reached a compromise on export duties that removed last obstacle on the way of Ukraine to the WTO. Ukraine expects that decision on its joining the WTO can be adopted on February 5-6 at the session of General Council of the WTO.