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The European Union and Ukraineкцкепцкпецке
The European Union and Ukraineкцкепцкпецке
Relations between Ukraine and the European Union were first established in
December 1991, when the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, holding the
Presidency of the Council of the European Communities at that time, officially
recognized Ukrainian independence on behalf of the EC.
The policy of Ukraine aiming to develop Ukraine – EU relations is based on
the Law of Ukraine dating from the 1st of July 2010 “On the Foundations of Internal
and Foreign Policy”. According to Article 11 of this Law, one of the key elements of
Ukrainian external policy is «ensuring the integration of Ukraine into the European
political, economic and legal area in order to obtain the EU membership».
At the same time, the intention of Ukraine to develop the relations with the EU
which are based on the principles of integration was announced long time before. In
the Decision of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (the Parliament of Ukraine) adopted
on the 2nd of July 1993 “On the Key Directions of the Foreign Policy of Ukraine”,
Ukraine declared its European integration aspirations for the first time. The support
of the EU integration course is also traditionally granted by the Verkhovna Rada of
Ukraine. For instance, the corresponding provisions are contained in the Decision of
the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine “On parliamentary hearings on the cooperation of
Ukraine and the EU”, approved on the 28th of November 2002; in the Declaration of
the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the 22 nd of February 2007 concerning the
beginning of negotiations on the new agreement between Ukraine and the EU as well
as the Decree of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the 19 th of May 2011 concerning
recommendations of parliamentary hearings on state of affairs and perspectives of
economic relations development between Ukraine and the EU and Ukraine and the
Customs Union.
Decision of the state leadership of Ukraine in November 2013 to refuse from
signing of Ukraine – EU Association Agreement evoked the start of the mass
peaceful protest in Ukraine to protect the European aspirations of Ukrainians, called
"EuroMaidan".
After the victory of the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada
of Ukraine on the 13th of March 2014 adopted the Resolution "On confirmation of
Ukraine's course towards integration into the European Union and priority measures
in this direction" confirming irreversibility of Ukraine's European integration,
which aims joining the European Union. It was also noted that Ukraine as a European
state that shares a common history and values with the European Union has the right
to apply for a membership in the European Union in accordance with Article 49 of
the Treaty on European Union. By this Resolution the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
recommended the Acting President of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers of
Ukraine to fulfil a number of immediate steps in the sphere of European integration,
especially in the context of Ukraine – EU Association Agreement conclusion.
The signing and ratification of Ukraine – EU Association Agreement in 2014
has launched the process of development of a qualitatively new form of relations on
the principles of political association and economic integration.
Starting from the 1st of September 2014 relevant parts of the Association
Agreement are effective under conditions of provisional application until its full entry
into force upon finalization of the ratification process by all EU Member States. On 1
January 2016, Ukraine and the EU started applying the Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area (DCFTA).
On February 7, 2019, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted the law
introducing amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine regarding the strategic
course of the state on acquiring a full-fledged membership of Ukraine in the
European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The EU has always been one of the main trading partners of Ukraine, and since
2014 it is the main trading partner. After Russia attacked Ukraine in 2014, the EU
became the main destination for Ukrainian labour migrants: In 2014-2019 the EU
issued 2.8 million permits to Ukrainians for remunerated activities.
The EU accounts for about 70% of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ukraine
(although this is partially Ukrainian money previously transferred to Cyprus or other
offshores). And, according to the National Bank of Ukraine data, over 90% of FDI
from Ukraine goes to the EU.
The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) opened new
opportunities for Ukrainian businesses – in 2020, 40% of them reported that the EU
integration was beneficial for them, about 6% felt worse off, and the rest did not feel
any changes. As it is unlikely that Ukraine will renew economic ties with Russia any
time soon, the importance of the European market for Ukraine will increase, and
Ukraine will become more economically and logistically integrated with the EU.
On 28 February 2022, Ukraine applied for EU membership. On 17 June 2022,
the European Commission issued its opinion on the application for EU membership.
On 23 June 2022, the European Council granted candidate status to Ukraine. It
invited the European Commission to report to the Council on the fulfilment of the
conditions specified in the Commission's opinion on the membership application as
part of the Commission's regular enlargement package. The Council will decide on
further steps once all these conditions are fully met.