PM Shmyhal highlights Ukraine's goal on path to European integration

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said Ukraine's goal on the path of European integration is access to the EU internal market, which implies free movement of goods, people, services, and capital.

Read alsoUkraine-EU trade estimated at US$42 bln in Jan-Nov 2019 – trade envoyThe official made the comment at a meeting of the Commission for Coordination of the Implementation of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, as reported by an UNIAN correspondent on October 21.

"We have a clear goal, that is access to the EU internal market, including freedom of movement of goods, people, services, and capital," he said.

Priorities on the path of European integration

Shmyhal also listed the country's "horizontal" priorities on the path of European integration in the near future.

"This is integration into the EU internal market and economic development through the drafting and updating of the Association Agreement's provisions and the conclusion of the ACAA [Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products, the so-called 'industrial visa-free regime' with the EU]. Sectoral integration and improvement of living standards by introducing European standards in the environmental sector, transport and digital infrastructure. Legalization of the provisions of the so-called Green Deal, in particular through joint projects in the field of hydrogen policy, fair transformation of coal mining regions and the implementation of other projects, including those in the renewables industry," he said.

UNIAN memo

• In 2014, the European Union and Ukraine signed the Association Agreement, which marked the beginning of a new period in relations between the EU and Ukraine.
• The Agreement is the main instrument for ensuring Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU: it contributes to the deepening of political relations, stronger economic ties, and mutual respect for common values.
• The economic part of the agreement, on a deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA), provides Ukraine with an opportunity to expand trade relations and economic development since it opens up new markets, contributes to harmonizing legislation, standards, and regulations in various sectors. The latter will help Ukraine integrate EU standards into key sectors of the economy.