By KYIV. Jan 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Prime Minister of Ukraine Dents Shmyhal said that over the past ten months Ukraine has managed to do for European integration what was previously planned to be done for at least several years.
"In the field of European integration, over the past 10 months, we have managed to do what we previously planned to implement for at least several years. We understand clearly what we need to do and in what order to become a member of the EU as soon as possible. Now we are completing the implementation of seven recommendations of the European Commission, which will allow us to launch the next integration steps. We also need to analyze the compliance of our legislation with the EU legislation in order to clearly understand the scope of work that needs to be done," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Friday.
The prime minister noted that in parallel with the assessment of conformity, the adoption and implementation of the European legislation, Ukraine will prepare for direct negotiations on the very entry into the EU.
"What does this mean? A negotiating position of Ukraine will be formed, which will determine our strengths, the boundaries of compromises, how accession to the EU will affect certain sectors of the economy and the state as a whole. Teams of negotiators from the Ukrainian side will be formed who will be able to professionally discuss details in various areas. This will be the basis for opening official accession negotiations," he said.
Shmyhal said that he was looking forward to the path of negotiations, which should culminate in the signing of the Agreement on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
"We expect to overcome this way in less than two years. And then Ukraine will become a full member of the EU. All barriers to trade, restrictions on the movement of labor force will be finally abolished, Ukraine will get access to EU structural and investment funds," he said.
