The EU seeks a decision on the ratification of a trade agreement with Ukraine
The European Union (EU) wants to find a legal solution that will allow the Netherlands to ratify the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. RIA Novosti reported that this was said by the head of the European Council, Donald Tusk, after the summit of the EU leaders.
“The European Council has discussed the ratification of the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement. We have decided to do everything possible to find a legally binding decision that will enable the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, to continue the ratification,” Tusk explained.
Rutte told the delegates of summit about the anxiety and debates that were held in the country before the referendum. “We now intend to find a legally binding decision, which will be a response to the concerns that were expressed,” he said.
Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the EU, which was signed in June 2014, was ratified by the parliaments of all 28 EU member states. However, the Netherlands decided to hold a referendum in April this year on whether or not this association is necessary. The results of this referendum were negative. These results however are simply advisory and not binding.