A memorandum on deepening cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and Ukraine, which was signed in Minsk on May 31, is fully compatible with the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and meets the commitments assumed by Kyiv as part of the WTO.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara said this in an exclusive interview with UKRINFORM.

"The signing of the memorandum was the result of a consistent policy of finding a format of cooperation with the Customs Union countries, which does not create obstacles to Ukraine's cooperation with other associations, reflects our commitments as part of the World Trade Organization and is fully compatible with Ukraine's future obligations as part of the Association Agreement with the European Union," the minister said.

Kozhara said that the memorandum does not contain the provisions that would envisage the prospects for Ukraine's accession to the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space or the transfer by Ukraine of its sovereign powers in the field of foreign trade policy to the supranational structures of these organizations.

He also said that the signing of the memorandum cannot be seen as a change in the foreign policy course of Ukraine.

"European integration remains a strategic priority for us. Ukraine is firmly determined to fulfill the 16th EU-Ukraine Summit decision of February 25 this year and the recommendations of the EU Foreign Affairs Council stated in its conclusions of December 10, 2012, with the view of ensuring the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU during the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius this November," Kozhara said.



 

Ukrinform