Arbuzov: Association Agreement with EU a strategic choice of Ukraine

Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov said this at a meeting with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Berlin on Wednesday, the press service of the first deputy prime minister reported.

"Ukraine is at a key stage of its road, in particular, the EU summit in Vilnius this November. Association with the European Union is our civilization choice. We hope that Germany will have its say in favor of association," Arbuzov said.

He said that Ukraine is currently making all efforts aimed at implementing the agreements of the EU-Ukraine Summit and the recommendations of the EU Council to ensure the signing of the agreement. The main priorities of the Ukrainian authorities, according to the first deputy prime minister, are improving election laws, reforming the system of justice and law enforcement agencies, combating corruption, improving the business environment and implementing the Association Agenda.

"A number of anti-corruption laws were adopted, and amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes were introduced. The government is consistently working on the creation of favorable conditions for doing business in Ukraine," Arbuzov said, adding that Ukraine sees Germany as an important partner, taking into account Berlin's important role in the EU.

Westerwelle, in turn, said that Germany is strategically interested in the European development of Ukraine and expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius, a determining result of which should be the signing of the Association Agreement. In this regard, the German foreign minister welcomed the efforts of the Ukrainian government aimed at meeting the criteria required for signing the agreement.

As reported, a government delegation headed by Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov was on a working visit to Germany on July 31.

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