REUTERS
President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker says that December 21 is the last chance for Ukraine and Russia for find a common understanding on the launch of a free trade area between Ukraine and the European Union from January 1, 2016, according to an UNIAN correspondent in Brussels.
"As you all know, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the European Union will provisionally enter into force on the 1st of January 2016. This is not only a symbol of our closer ties, it is an opportunity for our trade exchanges to increase and foster job creation and economic development. Together with the Ukrainian authorities we have engaged in trilateral talks with Russia to address concerns that have arisen in the context of the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. Solid progress has been made but not all differences have been solved yet. The three parties have already met more than 20 times, both at technical and political level. The ministerial meeting scheduled to take place here in Brussels on the 21st December is the last chance, the last chance, to find a common understanding," he said prior to the Ukraine-EU mini-summit in Brussels on Wednesday, which was attended by the EU leaders and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
In his words, the European Commission stands by Ukraine as the country continues on the path of reform.
"We will continue to support the country so that it can meet its international commitments. And the country is on the way to meeting its international commitments," he added.