The Czech Republic's parliament has ratified Ukraine's Association Agreement with the European Union, a political and free trade deal approved by the Ukrainian and the European Parliaments on September 16 last year.
As of today, nearly half of the 28 EU member states have stepped forward to sign off the Agreement with Ukraine, Ukraine Today reports.
The deal provides for Ukraine’s full access to the EU market but also puts obligations on Ukrainian authorities to fight corruption and improve the country’s legal system.
In late 2013, a sharp turn by then Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych away from the country’s European path led to mass protests and later resulted in Yanukovych fleeing the country, and Russia annexing Crimea in an unexpected aggressive move.
The deal is expected to commence in 2016, with all EU States to sign it by summer, 2015.
The Kremlin continues to put pressure on all sides of the agreement to scupper the deal.
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