"We commend the efforts of the EU leaders to agree on the decision that paves the way towards long-awaited finalization of the Association Agreement ratification by the EU. It is a necessary step to achieve our common goal – to secure the AA," Poroshenko wrote on Facebook.
Read alsoSchulz: EP hopefully to complete talks with EU Council on Ukraine visa lib in Jan 2017"We have managed to defend a principled position of Ukraine – no new negotiations with unclear time perspective, no changes to the Agreement, as well as no new circle of ratification by all Member States. We call upon The Netherlands to fulfill the relevant procedures to ensure its swift entry into force," he wrote.
According to Poroshenko, provisional application of the Agreement has already brought a number of positive results as recently acknowledged by the EU.
"Ukraine looks forward to continuous support from the EU, including the Netherlands, in the future implementation of the Agreement, which is in the strategic interests of both sides," Poroshenko added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Brussels on December 15 agreed with the EU leaders on the Netherlands-offered addendum to the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
With this adjustment, Rutte wants the Dutch authorities to ratify the deal, which the Netherlands voted against at a referendum earlier in 2016.
The EU leaders agreed to the proposals voiced by Rutte, aimed at unblocking the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
