Ukrainian President Poroshenko says he believes in a close relationship with Europe in the future
"I truly believe in Ukraine's close relationship with Europe in the future," Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stated, congratulating Ukrainians during the Day of Europe festivities in Vinnytsa.
Poroshenko emphasized that there have been extraordinary changes in the last 4 years, and in the last year alone, Ukraine has become very close to Europe.
The President noted that in the last year, the “EU Association Agreement entered into force on September 1, 2017 and was ratified by all 28 EU members, despite obstacles of the Russian Federation.”
Poroshenko recalled that for the visa-free regime with the European Union, which came into force on June 11 last year, Ukraine conducted more than 144 reforms. According to him, the growth rate of Ukrainian exports to Europe in 2017 is estimated to equal almost 30%, and for the first quarter of this year, it equals another 22%.
“We are resolutely coming back to Europe, to the European family of nations,” Poroshenko stated. “We’re coming back because Ukraine has always belonged to the family. Today, the Association Agreement, the visa-free regime, is our second and third overall achievement, since the first is the building of a strong, powerful, effective, patriotic and professional Ukrainian army. And our European partners from NATO countries have helped us with making Ukraine only stronger.”
Earlier, Poroshenko signed a decree bringing into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine regarding the definitive cessation of Ukraine’s participation in the work of the Russian Commonwealth [CIS] statutory bodies.